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Indigo

♀ Girl

Pronounced IN-dih-goh /ˈɪn.dɪ.ɡoʊ/High

Meaning: From the Greek indikon (Indian dye), via Latin indicum and Spanish indigo, referring to the deep blue-violet dye originally imported from India; used as a color word-name evoking mystery, creativity, and depthHigh

In 30 seconds: Indigo is a vivid three-syllable color word-name meaning deep blue-violet dye from India. Mysterious, creative, and artistic, it belongs to the modern wave of color and nature names chosen for girls who will march to their own beat.

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Origin HighGreek, Latin

MeaningFrom the Greek indikon (Indian dye), via Latin indicum and Spanish indigo, referring to the deep blue-violet dye originally imported from India; used as a color word-name evoking mystery, creativity, and depth

U.S. rank (2025)#854 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births318 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,018

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Indigo derives from the Greek indikon (Indian), which entered Latin as indicum and Spanish and English as indigo. The dye was extracted from the plant Indigofera tinctoria, cultivated in India and later the Americas. It was one of the most valuable trade commodities in the medieval and early modern world, used to dye textiles a deep blue-violet that could not be replicated from European sources.

As a given name, Indigo emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as part of the broader trend for color names (Violet, Scarlett, Jade, Indigo) and for names that evoke artistic, spiritual, or New Age sensibilities. Indigo children — a concept from the 1970s and 1980s referring to highly intuitive or creative children — gave the name an additional layer of spiritual significance.

Did you know? Indigo dye, extracted from the plant Indigofera tinctoria, was so valuable in medieval trade that it was sometimes called the blue gold of the East — and its color was so rare and prized that it was one of the original seven colors of the rainbow as described by Isaac Newton.

Overall data confidence 92%

Oxford English Dictionary — indigo — Greek and Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — Indigo name frequency

Variations

IndyIndie

Nicknames

IndieIndy

Famous Bearers

★Indigo De Souza (1997-)
American indie rock singer-songwriter from North Carolina
★Indigo (Alyssa Ashley Nichols) (1984-)
American actress known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Weeds

If you like Indigo…

Violet— same color-as-name tradition with a deep, rich hue

Iris— same category of color-and-nature word-names for girls

Sage— fellow one-to-three-syllable nature word-name with a mystical, earthy quality

Italy— shares Indigo's Latin roots

Jenesis— the same modern feel

Explore names like Indigo

By thememodern latin greek word-name three-syllable color-name artistic

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Indigo mean?

Indigo means deep blue-violet dye from India, from Greek indikon meaning Indian; it refers to the rare and prized blue dye.

How do you pronounce Indigo?

It is said IN-dih-goh, with three syllables.

Is Indigo a popular name?

Indigo is growing in the U.S. as part of the color-name trend, though it remains uncommon.

Why is Indigo used as a name?

Parents choose Indigo for its artistic, mysterious quality, its deep color associations, and its connection to creativity and spirituality.