What Should William and Kate Name Their Baby?
In case you haven’t heard, Prince William and Kate are expecting a future king or queen of England–thanks to recent changes in English law, male heirs are no longer given preference in taking over the throne. But while everyone’s abuzz over whether it’s a prince or princess on the way, I’m already skipping ahead to the baby names.
You can already expect that this couple won’t be going for some of the more unusual names of late–so we can forget about Prince Pilot or Princess Hashtag. They may be modern monarchs, but they still have a very healthy respect for tradition. So I’d expect some good, traditional British names. And that means we’re also into Uma Thurman baby-naming territory, as royals tend to give their babies four or five names. (Prince William was christened William Arthur Philip Louis.)
You can probably get a sense of what names will appear in the collection if you get a good look at the British royal lineage–there’s no doubt that most (if not all) of the names will have some historical background.
For boys, we’re talking names like Henry, James, George, Charles and Thomas. Here’s my best guess: The first name will either be James (a common royal name) or Alfred (the nickname Alfie is #4 on Britain’s name popularity list, so this isn’t as out-there as it sounds to American ears). Philip will be one of the middle names (it’s the name of William’s grandfather, and both he and his father have it as one of their middle names). In fact, here’s my best guess: Alfred Charles Philip James. (Alternate name possibilities: Edward or Edmund, George, Albert and John.)
And what name would befit a future queen? I’d like to see an Eleanor (after one of the most powerful women in medieval Europe, Eleanor of Aquitaine) or Victoria (after the vaunted 19th century monarch). I expect to see Diana pop up as one of the middle names, in homage to William’s mother. And don’t entirely discount a slight veer from British royal lineage. A name like Grace, which is currently in the top 10 in the U.K., would be a beautiful choice. Here’s my bet for the princess’s moniker: Eleanor Diana Victoria Elizabeth. (Alternate name possibilities could include Alice, Beatrice, Anne and Margaret.)
What do you think Wills and Kate should name their first born? Share your ideas in the comments.
by Pabst
On December 3, 2012 at 9:06 pm
We like Tea (like the beverage, of course) Boo, Cucumber, Lou, and Crumpet for names. But suppose it’s more likely to be something like Eleanora Pip for a girl and Augustus Bill for a boy. Sigh.
by Fatima
On December 5, 2012 at 12:58 am
For a Girl
Sarah Elizabeth Diana Grace
For a Boy
Edward Spencer Charles William
by Magda
On December 5, 2012 at 11:16 am
Grace Diana Victoria for a girl and Thomas James Philip for a boy
by Anna
On December 5, 2012 at 11:28 am
Diana Elizabeth would be pretty for a future Queen. Edward Philip Spencer would be nice for a boy
by Monica
On December 5, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Victoria Diana Elizabeth Grace -Girl Henry Charles Phillip Alfred-Boy I hope she’s better soon!!
by Terri
On December 5, 2012 at 4:59 pm
First of all, there is no recent law change that would require a first born daughter to be first in line over younger brothers. There is only discussion about trying to make that change in 2013 but it has not yet even been introduced into Parliament yet let alone passed. Don’t you people even do any research at all? And don’t you yet after almost 2 years know her royal title? Any names chosen will have to be approved by the queen so expect old-fashioned names already used in the family.
by Lisa Milbrand
On December 5, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Terri, I appreciate your response. I actually did do research, and found several news items that indicated that the rule of succession had indeed been changed: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2054467/UK-royal-succession-laws-Commonwealth-agrees-historic-change-sex-equality.html and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15492607.
by Bethany
On December 6, 2012 at 10:39 am
I figure since I’m not asking them what I should name my child they probably don’t care what i think they should name theirs. Though Kathrine Elizabeth would be beautiful for a girl and Chester Earl would be pretty cute for a boy.
by sandie green
On January 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm
i think catherine and william should name their baby Renesmee elizabeth
but i do think its going to be katherine elizabeth diane windsor. and she will have strewberry blonde hair which looks red in cameras, and ivory skin. with blue eyes.
by Patsy
On January 12, 2013 at 2:12 pm
I think a girl will be named Catherine Elizabeth Diana. The current queen is named Elizabeth Alexandra Mary her mother, great grandmother and grandmother’s names respectively.