Lavender blue
A pale blue-lavender shade first named in 1926
Lavender blue is a light, soft colour that sits between blue and lavender. It was first recorded as a colour name in 1926 and was listed as a main variation of lavender in a 1930 colour dictionary. Lavender blue is also known as periwinkle, named after the periwinkle flower.
Share on WhatsAppOpen in the lab
- First recorded as a colour name in 1926
- Listed as a major lavender variation in 1930
- Lavender blue is the same colour as periwinkle
- Periwinkle is named after the flower
What colour is Lavender blue?
Lavender blue is a pale, gentle colour that blends blue with a hint of lavender. It stands out for its soft, cool appearance, lighter than standard blue but with a touch of purple. This shade is often compared to periwinkle, as both share a similar light bluish tone. Lavender blue is distinct from lavender grey and floral lavender, which are other main types of lavender.
Where does Lavender blue come from?
The name lavender blue first appeared in English in 1926. It was recognised as one of the three main lavender variations in a 1930 colour dictionary. Lavender blue is also called periwinkle, a name taken from the periwinkle flower, which has petals in this same shade.
Blue around the world
What the blue family means from country to country.
Lapis lazuli has been mined in the mountains of Badakhshan for more than six thousand years. Ground to powder it gave ultramarine, the costliest blue in European painting.
Royalty and powerSacred and holyAweSource: Lapis lazuliThe chadari is a full-length covering for women with a mesh panel over the eyes. In Kabul and the north it is most often a light blue.
Protection and healingSource: BurqaThe blue band of the flag stands for the wish of the Armenian people to live under peaceful skies. The red above it is for the highlands and the struggle to survive.
Politics and protestHopeSource: Flag of ArmeniaThe flag is sky blue, white and sky blue, created by Manuel Belgrano in 1812. National teams are called the Albiceleste, the white and sky blue.
Politics and protestPrideSource: Flag of ArgentinaBoca Juniors play in blue and gold. The club's story is that in 1907 it took the colours of the flag of the next ship into port, which was Swedish.
Festival and celebrationPrideSource: Boca JuniorsTo be true blue is to be honestly and loyally Australian. The phrase is older than the country, but Australians have made it their own.
Politics and protestTrustSource: True Blue (John Williamson song)Shades and relatives of Lavender blue
Lavender blue is closely related to periwinkle, and the two are considered the same colour. Other main lavender variations include lavender grey and floral lavender, which differ in tone and depth. Lavender blue is lighter and more blue-toned than these related shades.
Colours that go with Lavender blue
Harmonies are worked out from the value #CCCCFF. Contrast ratios follow the WCAG 2 formula.
Questions people ask about Lavender blue
What colour is lavender blue?
Lavender blue is a pale, soft shade that mixes blue with a hint of lavender, giving it a light bluish-purple appearance.
When was the name lavender blue first used?
The term lavender blue was first used as a colour name in 1926.
Is lavender blue the same as periwinkle?
Yes, lavender blue is identified as being the same colour as periwinkle.
Where does the name periwinkle come from?
The name periwinkle comes from the periwinkle flower, which has petals in this same shade.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lavender (color)" (the section "Lavender blue"), written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Rang rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. The swatch is an approximation: named colours are not fixed standards, and every screen shows them a little differently. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More of the blue family
All of blue
#6A5DFF
Indigo
A deep blue named for the dye once exported from IndiaNamed shade · 🇮🇳 India +5
#120A8F
Ultramarine
A deep blue pigment once made from lapis lazuli, prized for centuries in artPigment · 🇦🇫 Afghanistan +2
#007FFF
Azure
A clear sky blue, halfway between blue and cyan on the colour wheelNamed shade · 🇮🇹 Italy +2
#87CEEB
Sky blue
A light blue named for the colour of a clear daytime skyNamed shade · 🇦🇷 Argentina +5
#0047AB
Cobalt blue
A strong, stable blue pigment made from cobalt and alumina since the early 1800sPigment · 🇫🇷 France +3
#000080
Navy blue
A deep blue shade named for the uniforms of the Royal NavyNamed shade · 🇺🇸 United States +2
#007BA7
Cerulean
A blue-green colour once made from cobalt stannate and linked with the skyNamed shade · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
#002366
Royal blue
A strong, deep blue linked with royalty and national flagsNamed shade · 🇫🇷 France +4