The Digital Press

X11 color names are a set of color definitions originally developed for the X Window System, mapping color names to RGB values, widely used in computing and web design. Despite inconsistencies and overlaps with web color standards, these names remain influential in graphics applications.

Why it matters: X11 color names form a foundational color standard for software interfaces and influenced early web color naming conventions.

The big picture: The list dates back to 1985, evolving through X releases and later merging with web standards, yet inconsistencies between X11 and W3C colors persist.

Color naming clashes: Differences exist between X11 and web colors (like "Gray" and "Green"), causing variations in appearance and requiring prefix-based disambiguation.

Commenters say: Users appreciate the historical significance and comprehensive naming but note confusion due to overlapping names and lack of standardization.