The present invention provides styryl dyes which have absorption maxima at a wavelength of 400 nm or less and are sensitive to a laser beam with a wavelength of 450 nm or less, light absorbents and optical recording media which comprise the styryl dyes, and a process for producing the styryl dyes which comprises reacting with an aldehyde compound a quaternary ammonium salt of nitrogen atom containing heterocyclic compound having an active methyl or active methylene group.