Auburn: Hair Color, Pronunciation, and Extended Meanings

Auburn /ˈɔːbərn/ (AW-burn) or /ˈɑːbərn/ (AH-burn) – a reddish-brown color.

Primary Meaning

Rich, warm hair color blending red and brown; lighter than chestnut, darker than strawberry blonde. Common genetic variant (MC1R polymorphisms).

Extended Uses

• Feathers/plumage – e.g., golden eagle nape feathers.
• Historical name – from Old French auborne (whitish-yellow), later shifted to reddish-brown.
• Heraldry – tincture “brunâtre” (brown), sometimes called auburn.

Color Codes

• Hex: #A52A2A (web “brown”) or #712F26 (deeper).
• RGB: 165, 42, 42 (web).

In hair dye, “auburn” spans Levels 4–6 with red-copper tones.