Orange as a colour name is a relatively late addition to English, arriving with the fruit itself — before that, English speakers described the colour as a shade of red or yellow.
No single HEX value defines this entire colour family — see individual colour profiles below for specific shades.
The English word 'orange' as a colour name is documented from around the 16th century, borrowed from the name of the fruit, which itself came into English via French and ultimately Arabic/Persian trade routes.
16th century
Before 'orange' existed as a colour word, English speakers typically described orange-coloured things as a shade of red (as in 'red deer' or 'red hair', which are genuinely orange-toned).
English language
Saffron, one of the most expensive spices and dyes historically, produces a warm yellow-orange and has been used in religious dress in various cultures for its cost and vividness.
multiple regions, including South and Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean
Orange is widely used in modern high-visibility safety clothing and signage, building on its strong contrast against most natural backgrounds.
General