What is the rarest hair color?

There's no single definitive answer to what the rarest hair color is, as different studies and interpretations of "rare" exist. However, natural red hair is widely considered to be among the rarest, if not the rarest.

Here's what contributes to its rarity:

• Genetics: Red hair is caused by a recessive MC1R gene. Both parents must carry this gene to pass it on to their child. This makes it less common than other hair colors which are determined by dominant or co-dominant genes.

• Geographic distribution: Red hair is most prevalent in people of Northern and Western European ancestry, and even within those populations, it's relatively uncommon. Its frequency is much lower in other parts of the world.

• Defining "red": The spectrum of red hair can be broad, ranging from light strawberry blonde to deep auburn. This makes precise quantification challenging. Some studies might focus on only the deepest, most vibrant shades, leading to varying reported rarity levels.

While true natural red hair is undeniably uncommon, some might argue for other extremely rare hair colors that appear only due to specific genetic mutations or conditions. However, these are exceptionally rare and fall outside the typical discussion of naturally occurring hair colors.

In conclusion, while pinpointing the absolute rarest is difficult, natural red hair consistently ranks among the rarest hair colors due to its specific genetic requirements and geographic distribution.