Brown hair, often referred to as brunette in females, stands as the second-most prevalent hair color among humans, following black hair. This versatile hue ranges from light to dark brown, characterized by moderate levels of the dark pigment eumelanin, while lacking the pale pigment pheomelanin.
Predominantly found in populations across the Western world, brown hair is especially common among individuals from Northwestern Europe and the United States. Its presence extends to various regions, including Central, Southeastern, Eastern, and Southern Europe, as well as the Southern Cone of South America, where countries like Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico showcase this hair color.
Moreover, brown hair is not limited to Western populations; it is also found among certain groups in the Middle East, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and South Asia, where it often transitions seamlessly into black hair. Additionally, Australian Aboriginals, East Asians, and Melanesians are known to have brown hair, highlighting its global prevalence.