The Story Behind Your Favorite Yeezy Colorways

By now, your sneaker collection likely boasts a plethora of  adidas Yeezy shoes. Perhaps a mix of Yeezy 350 Reps, a selection of Yeezy 700 Reps, Yeezy slides Reps for warmer days, and Yeezy 500 Reps Highs for colder months. But have you ever delved into the significance behind the names of these Yeezy colorways?

Consider this: you’ve tagged ‘Resin’ on your Instagram post featuring your yellow 450s, recommended the ‘Vermillion’ Yeezy Foam RNNR as a must-have to your friends, and consistently sport your ‘Covellite’ 380s during every gym session. Despite this, you might still be in the dark about the origins of these names. Let us shed some light for you.

‘Sulfur’ is the bold yellow hue that adorns the OG Yeezy Knit RNR and OG Knit RNR Boot. The vibrant yellow shade found on the OG Yeezy Knit RNR and OG Knit RNR Boot is known as ‘Sulfur’. This name is derived from the nonmetallic element Sulfur (also spelled as ‘Sulphur’ in British English), which is a luminous yellow crystalline solid crucial for all forms of life.

‘Yechiel’ – This Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Yecheil Non-Reflective Reps iteration features a base of deep black accentuated by splashes of red, blue, pink, and yellow. Outside the realm of adidas Yeezy footwear, “Yechiel” is a Hebrew name for boys, meaning “God Lives.” It’s clear that Ye aimed to capture a sense of divine transcendence with this celestial mix of colors.

‘Ararat’ – The Yeezy Foam Runner Ararat Reps boasts a creamy off-white hue. This colorway takes inspiration from Mount Ararat, a snow-clad mountain in Turkey, near the borders of Iran and Armenia, traditionally regarded as the resting place of Noah’s ark. Ye’s fondness for biblical references is unmistakable.

‘Beluga’ – The initial color scheme of the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Beluga Reps, characterized by a subtle grey hue highlighted by a vibrant safety orange stripe, takes its name from the Beluga whale, a toothed cetacean found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, known for its grey coloring.

‘Israfil’ – The 2020 Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Israfil Reps features a light blue colorway complemented by a subtle orange tone. According to the Quran, Israfil is an archangel who, from a sacred rock in Jerusalem, heralds the Day of Resurrection by blowing the trumpet. Often, depictions of the angel portray wings in shades of blue and orange.

‘Vanta’ – The coveted Yeezy Boost 700 V2 Vanta Reps in a sleek black design is in high demand. You might be aware that this color scheme draws inspiration from Vantablack, an ultra-black coating created by Surrey NanoSystems, which absorbs 99.9923% of light. What you might not know is that “Vanta” stands for “Vertically Aligned Nano Tube Array.”

‘Ochre’ – The Yeezy slide Ochre Reps released in December ’21 on Repsleague website showcases a rich brown hue reminiscent of muddy earth. This term originates from the family of clay pigments containing ferric oxide. Among these pigments are red ochre, yellow ochre, purple ochre, umber, and sienna.

‘Citrin’ – A Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Citrin Reps colorway with a gum sole offers a neutral aesthetic. The term “citrin” serves as an alternative name for “bioflavonoid,” which refers to health-enhancing compounds formerly referred to as Vitamin P. It seems the choice of taupe tones in this release aims to symbolize the natural nutritional benefits.

‘Azeal’ – The OG Yeezy Boost 700 V3 Azeal Reps colorway, featuring cream and white tones, is named Azeal. Azeal is a Hebrew boy’s name that signifies “made from God.” It’s reasonable to interpret the pristine, dove-like color scheme as a representation of divine purity.

‘Kyanite’ – The Yeezy 700 V3 Arzareth Reps colorway is enhanced with a refreshing touch of blue along the sidewall. This color scheme draws its name from a blue crystalline mineral believed to promote life balance. The term “Kyanite” originates from “Kyanos,” the Greek word for deep blue.

‘Onyx’ – Onyx, which has been featured on Yeezy Boost 380 Onyx Reflective Reps, is rumored to be appearing on the Yeezy Slide, Yeezy Foam RNNR, and Yeezy Boost 350 V2 models. When not associated with Yeezy, Onyx refers to a layered chalcedony known for its purported healing and empowering qualities.

‘Tephra’ – This Yeezy Boost 700 V2 Tephra Reps iteration features a color scheme blending various tones of brown and grey. The term used here typically denotes the materials ejected into the air following a volcanic eruption, often consisting of grey-brown rock fragments.

‘Covellite’ – This Yeezy Boost 380 Mist Reflective Reps variant primarily showcases an indigo blue hue. Its designation directly alludes to an uncommon blue mineral composed of copper sulfide, first identified by Italian mineralogist Niccolo Covelli.

‘Antlia’ – This Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Antlia Non Reflective Reps iteration comes in a yellow color option, offered in both reflective and non-reflective versions. Its name corresponds to a constellation in the southern sky portraying an air pump. Considering this, it’s probable that the yellow hue draws inspiration from the stars.

‘Sumac’ – This Yeezy 500 Reps High variant features a combination of red, brown, and blue hues. For botanists, the colorway’s title refers to a sizable shrub or small tree renowned for yielding bright red fruits used to produce a zesty spice.

‘Vermillion’ – It stands out as one of the highly sought-after Yeezy Foam Runner Vermilion Reps editions introduced to date. This striking red variant derives its name from a pigment crafted from mercury sulfide, a chemical amalgam of mercury and sulfur.

‘Resin’ – In 2021, a Yeezy 450 Resin Reps colorway in an earthy yellow hue was launched. The term used here refers to the organic substance secreted by various plants and trees, typically exhibiting a sticky, yellowish-brown appearance.

‘Inertia’ – This color scheme of blue, grey, and orange has adorned both the Yeezy Boost 700 Inertia Reps. “Inertia,” a term from physics, denotes the force maintaining the stationary position or consistent motion of an object. Given adidas Yeezy’s perpetual progression, it’s conceivable that this colorway symbolizes the future.