what do the color of the armor names mean

[Doctorie]

armor same level...one is purple..one is green or blue.

sometimes the green has a higher armor value..sometimes it does not.

Ive searched and looked but ive not found a post to tell me.

thanks in advance

[Solaxys]

The color of the armor means, theoretically, how rare it is or how hard it is to get.
So green is the least rare, and easy to get >> blue >> purple >> orange is the rarest, and hardest to get.

The stats vary by level of the item, irrelevant to the rarity of the item.

[Kerin]

sometimes the green has a higher armor value

The stats vary by level of the item, irrelevant to the rarity of the item.

I don't think I've ever seen a green with better stats than same-level blue and don't believe it's at all intended.

[Heavens]

There are also Armor Proficiency.
Cloth -> Leather -> Chain -> Plate.
Cloth has the least amount of armor, all the way up to Plate with the most armor.

[Faerugue]

I am wearing a blue armor piece, and 4 levels up I found a green with just about the same stats. I guess that's what you're talking about .... The blue was a rare for level x, the green has a level requirement for several levels higher ... You have to take that into account as well when you are comparing gear pieces ...

Otherwise previous posters have already explained the basics

[Chantillary]

I am wearing a blue armor piece, and 4 levels up I found a green with just about the same stats. I guess that's what you're talking about .... The blue was a rare for level x, the green has a level requirement for several levels higher ... You have to take that into account as well when you are comparing gear pieces ...

Otherwise previous posters have already explained the basics

Moreover, the difference will be more significant, the higher level you get. Purple level 50 Mathosian gear is quickly replaced by green level 50 Storm Legion gear.