'orange' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'orenge', where the Arabic-Persian root 'nārang' meant 'orange (the fruit)'.

'orange' changed from Old French 'orenge' (and related Old Provençal 'auranja') and entered Middle English, eventually becoming the modern English word 'orange'; 'orangey' is a later adjectival formation from 'orange'.

Initially, it meant 'the fruit'; later the color was named after the fruit, and 'orangey' evolved to mean 'somewhat orange' or 'having an orange tinge'.