Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about naming and registering a color with The Official Register of Color Names (ORCN). Click any question to expand the answer. Can't find what you need? Contact us and we'll reply within 24 hours.

Getting Started

ORCN is a private registry where unique colors are given official, permanent names. Each color — identified by its HEX / RGB code — can be assigned one official Color Name, recorded in the register, and given a digital certificate and its own dedicated color page. It's a way to memorialize a person, brand, event, or moment in a way that lasts.

The Register (color-register.org) is the record-keeping side — it holds the official database of color names. The Store (store.color-register.org) is where you actually buy the right to name a color. They work together: you purchase in the Store, and your name is recorded in the Register.

Any unreserved and unnamed color from the 24-bit RGB color space (HEX codes) can be chosen. The list is finite — there are exactly 16,777,216 possible color codes, and each can carry only one name — so this opportunity won't last forever.

Yes. Some colors already have established names, and the ORCN expert team consistently verifies and gradually adds these to the register. Widely used color names are analyzed to assign the most accurate color code.

Naming Rules

It can be a common color name (e.g. "Crystal Clear Ocean Blue"), a name perpetuating someone dear (e.g. "Anna Mary Red"), or a company (e.g. "My Company Logo Green"). Names may be in any language, as long as they are written in the Latin alphabet. A Color Name cannot repeat an existing name, cannot have a coarse or offensive meaning, cannot infringe trademark rights, and cannot impersonate another person or organization.

  • The name must be 3–40 characters long (including spaces) and can have many words.
  • It may use only Latin letters, digits, and these symbols: - (hyphen), ' (single quote), . (dot), and & (ampersand).
  • There can't be a space before or after the name.
  • There can't be more than one space between words.

Yes. If your name contains a color word or a word describing a color property (e.g. "Green", "Blue", "Pink", "Dark", "Light"), it must not contradict the actual properties of the selected color code — its hue, lightness, and saturation categories. The authoritative categories are shown at the bottom of each color page, in the "Conversions between color systems" section. For example, "Second Green" can't be registered for a color whose category is Red — in such cases you can update the name, select a different color code, or request a refund.

No. A Color Name can't consist only of digits, and it can't imitate a HEX value or other code. In particular, a name of 3, 6, or 8 characters using only the digits 0–9 and the letters A–F is not allowed, because it forms a valid HEX code — even if it reads as a word (e.g. "Facade" is the valid HEX code #FACADE). The name must be understandable to a human reader — not a disguised code.

Obscene or offensive words or phrases — in any language — are strictly prohibited, as is any inappropriate content. Offensive or controversial Color Names or Personal Messages may be removed at the discretion of ORCN.

Yes. ORCN guarantees your Color Name remains unique in the register, as long as it complies with our Terms and Conditions. Uniqueness also covers near-duplicates: a name that differs from a registered name only by punctuation, spacing, or capitalization (e.g. "Second-Green" vs "Second Green") is treated as the same name and can't be registered for another color.

No — the name belongs to the color forever, and names are stored indefinitely. The exceptions: the order is cancelled under the Refund Policy (within 90 days), removal is required by law, or the Register — acting reasonably and in good faith — removes an entry in cases of fraud, abuse, infringement of third-party rights, or other exceptional circumstances. Any such removal decision by the Register comes with a written explanation.

Registration, Pricing & Payment

Choose an unreserved color in the Store, pick a Color Name that follows the naming rules, add an optional Personal Message, and complete checkout. Once your payment is processed, we issue your certificate and record the name in the Register.

Payments are processed securely through third-party payment providers at checkout. Your payment is subject to their terms in addition to ours, and we don't store your full card details. Once payment clears, we confirm your order and begin registration.

We try to keep prices and descriptions accurate, but if a product is listed at an incorrect price due to an error, we may refuse or cancel the order — even after it's confirmed and charged — and issue a refund.

Yes. You can request a refund within 90 days of your order. Refunds are also issued if an order is cancelled due to a pricing error or if a chosen name can't be registered. See the Refund Policy for the full process.

Certificates, Pages & Gifting

Each registered Color Name receives an official digital Color Certificate as proof of registration, plus a dedicated Color Page showing the color's name, HEX/RGB code, and any story or Personal Message you add.

A Personal Message is an optional note that complements or explains your Color Name. It can be displayed on the Color Page and/or the Color Certificate — perfect for a dedication or short story behind the name. It may be written in any language using the Latin alphabet; if it isn't in English, the Color Page may additionally show an automatic English translation (clearly marked), while the Certificate always shows your original text.

Absolutely. Naming a color makes a memorable, lasting gift. You can dedicate it to a loved one and include a customized message on the color's page and certificate.

Anywhere — share it on social networks, use it on your website, or include it in your company's brand book. Your Color Name is also part of your individual Color Page address, which is indexed and easily found on search engines.

Orders & Your Information

You must be 18 or older and able to form a legally binding contract (legal entities can act through authorized representatives). We may refuse service in cases of fraud, abuse, or violations of the Terms.

No. There are no user accounts and no passwords. Your purchase is identified by your order number and the email address you provide at checkout — we use them to deliver your Certificate and to verify any later requests (refunds, corrections, changes to a Personal Message). Instructions from that email address are treated as authorized, so keep it accurate and current.

Contact us from the original address, or provide proof of purchase (order number and payment details), and we'll update the record. The registrant contact can also be transferred to another person on request — for example, when a registration is a gift.

Colors & Color Science

A digital color model is a system for representing and organizing colors in a digital environment, such as a computer screen or digital image. Different models suit different purposes:
  • RGB (Red, Green, Blue) — the most widely used model for digital images and displays. It's additive: the more light you add, the lighter the color.
  • CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) — used mainly in printing. It's subtractive: the more ink you add, the darker the color.
  • HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) — represents color as hue, intensity, and brightness. Common in color pickers because it's intuitive.
  • LAB (Luminance, a*, b*) — perceptually uniform, so the difference between two colors matches how different they look to a person. Used in image processing and color management.
Each model has its own strengths, and the right choice depends on the task. ORCN uses HEX triplets and 24-bit RGB codes as the unique identifier for every registered color.

Yes. If you know a color name that isn't yet in the register, please fill out the suggestion form. Our expert team analyzes suggested colors on a priority basis, so it's very possible your suggestion will be added in the near future.

Legal & Your Rights

This section answers common legal questions in plain language. It is a summary for convenience only and is not legal advice. The full, binding terms are in the Register T&C (RTOC) and the Store T&C (STOC). If anything here differs from those documents, the T&C control.

By using the Register or buying from the Store, you enter a binding agreement to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. The Register is governed by the RTOC and the Store by the STOC. Because the two work together, a Store purchase also means you agree to the Register's RTOC. If you don't agree, you can't use the services.

The applicable Terms & Conditions are the final word. The RTOC governs your use of the Register, and the STOC governs your use of the Store, even if another document, page, or marketing material says something different. Together with the Privacy Policy and any document linked from them, the T&C form the entire agreement between you and ORCN and supersede any prior agreements.

You purchase the right to have your chosen Color Name officially and permanently recorded against a specific color code in the Register, along with a digital certificate and a dedicated Color Page. ORCN operates as an independent private registry. It is not a government authority, educational institution, international standards body, trademark registry, or other official authority. Registration creates a permanent record within the ORCN Register only and does not confer any governmental, legal, trademark, or internationally recognized status.

No. Having a color listed in The Official Register of Color Names doesn't mean you "own" that color or its name — it means you've defined it according to The Official Register of Color Names system, and that definition is recorded permanently. Registration is intended as a personal, commemorative, creative, or entertainment service.

If you want a color name protected as a legal property or right, that's a separate path outside ORCN — generally subject to conditions and limitations that vary by jurisdiction and context. The most common routes:

  1. Trademark. In some cases, a specific color used in a certain context can be trademarked. For example, Tiffany Blue is a registered trademark of Tiffany & Co., but only in relation to specific types of goods (jewelry, in this case). The color itself isn't owned by the company; rather, it's the association between the color and the specific goods/services that's protected.
  2. Patent. While you can't patent a color, you might be able to patent a specific method of creating a particular color under very specific conditions.
  3. Copyright. You cannot copyright a color or a color name, but you could potentially copyright a very specific arrangement or pattern of colors.
  4. Domain name. If the color name is unique and not already registered as a domain, you can certainly register the domain name.
  5. Company name. You can register a color name as a company name if it is unique and meets the other requirements for company name registration in your jurisdiction.
  6. Brand or product names. If you have a unique color that is central to a product or service, you may be able to register the name of that product or service.
  7. Pantone. The Pantone Matching System has its own naming conventions for colors. However, having a color listed in the Pantone system doesn't mean you "own" that color or its name — it just means you've defined it according to their system.
  8. Artistic or literary works. While you can't copyright a color, you could potentially get some protection for the way you describe or use a color in a creative work, although this would be limited.

If you need trademark or other legal protection for a brand, talk to the relevant authorities or an IP professional — ORCN registration and legal protection can happily exist side by side.

The trademarks, logos, service marks ("Marks"), and all site content are the property of ORCN or its partners. You may not use the Marks or content — including as metatags on other sites — without written permission. You also may not copy, modify, distribute, publish, sell, license, or create derivative works from site content for commercial or public purposes.

Any unsolicited information you submit (comments, ideas, questions, designs, etc.) is treated as non-confidential and non-proprietary. By submitting it, you grant ORCN a perpetual, royalty-free, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, translate, distribute, display, sublicense, create derivative works from, transfer, and sell that material — and to use your name in connection with it. If you don't want to grant this, don't submit the material.

No. The site, services, and content are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. ORCN does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, reliability, uninterrupted access, or that files are free of viruses. All implied warranties — including merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose — are disclaimed to the extent permitted by law. The entire risk of using the service is yours, and your sole remedy for dissatisfaction is to stop using it.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, ORCN and its affiliates, officers, employees, agents, partners, and licensors are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or exemplary damages — including lost profits, goodwill, data, or other intangible losses — arising from your use of the site, content, services, or products. Any liability is limited to a refund of what you paid, if anything. Nothing in the Terms excludes liability that can't be excluded under applicable law, or affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

Indemnification means that if your actions cause a legal claim against ORCN, you agree to cover the resulting costs. Specifically, you agree to defend and hold ORCN and the Covered Parties harmless from any claim or demand — including reasonable attorneys' fees — arising out of your breach of the Terms, your use of the site or services, or your violation of any law or third-party right.

ORCN respects intellectual property and can disable or remove infringing entries. To file a claim, send our Copyright Agent: (1) your physical or electronic signature; (2) a description of the work or right you claim is infringed; (3) where the infringing material is on the site; (4) your address, phone, and email; (5) a statement of your good-faith belief that the use isn't authorized; and (6) a statement, under penalty of perjury, that your information is accurate and you're authorized to act for the owner. Submit this through our Contact Us page.

Yes. ORCN may refuse service and remove or edit content in accordance with the Terms — for example, if you provide false information, breach the Terms, or misuse the site (such as scraping, framing content, uploading harmful code, or overloading the systems). Unauthorized use immediately ends the limited license granted to you.

Certain provisions survive termination. Any term that, by its nature, implies continuing obligations — such as intellectual-property rights, the warranty disclaimer, limitation of liability, and indemnification — remains in effect even after your agreement with ORCN expires or is terminated.

Your privacy is governed by our Privacy Policy (Register / Store), which forms part of the agreement. Payment details are handled by third-party payment processors under their own terms; ORCN does not store your full card information. By using the site you also consent to receiving communications from us electronically, which satisfy any legal requirement that notices be in writing.

Yes, ORCN may update the Terms and Privacy Policy at any time. For a material change, ORCN will post a prominent announcement above the affected document for thirty (30) days, and you agree this is sufficient notice. Continuing to use the service after a change means you accept the updated Terms.

The Terms are severable. If a court finds any provision invalid or unenforceable, that provision is interpreted to reflect the original intent as closely as possible (or removed), and all remaining provisions stay in full force and effect. Section headings are for reference only and don't limit the terms.

No. Except as expressly stated in the Terms, there are no third-party beneficiaries — the agreement is between you and ORCN. Note that promotional offers may carry their own additional terms, which you agree to when you take part in them.

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