According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “orange” entered the English language in the early 1300s, via the Old French word, orenge. Some lexicographers believe the word actually originated from Sanskrit (नारङगम्, pronounced nāraṅga), and then evolved over time as it passed through other languages. In English, the color “orange” was named after the fruit. Before speakers came in contact with the citrus version, the color was referred to as “yellow-red.”
Fun fact: There are no words that perfectly rhyme with “orange.”
(via Time For Maps!)
