I think it’s safe to say Wallis, Camilla, and Chicago are off the list of potential names for the impending royal baby, due any day now. Also scratch anything trendy. And all names belonging to current, living members of the royal family can safely be dismissed, according to Christian Turner, global naming director at Siegel+Gale, about the expectations for a royal baby name. (What I want to know is, how can I get a job as a “global naming director”?)
Turner, in an interview with Hello magazine, tossed out a few contenders, including Alice (the bookie’s top pick, and mine too), and Amelia, which belonged to the daughter of King George 11, a monarch who died in 1760. Amelia IS pretty and substantial, but, as he points out, is #2 on the British baby name list. That might make it too popular–a shame.
For boys, he picks Arthur (the bookie’s #1, and mine), Frederick and Leopold. I’m with him all the way on Frederick–Prince Freddie? Charming!—-but wildly disagree on Leopold. Now, it’s exuberant and creative as a name, but one cannot overlook King Leopold’s genocidal tendencies and his brutal exploitation of the Congo Free State. One cannot! (You see, this is fresh on my mind because I Google all of these people while I am watching “Victoria” on PBS!)
Being a staunch royal fan AND a baby name nut (and author of two baby name books, A is for Adam and A is for Atticus), I’d love to expand upon some of Turner’s suggestions and add a few of my own.
For fun! I’ve just spent a pleasant half hour browsing William’s family tree, back to the House of Wessex in the Middle Ages. Here I found some doozies, such as Grunhilda and Sweyn Forkbeard, a couple, I believe, and my personal favorite, Ethelred the Unready (960-1014). Poor Ethelred! Why was she unready, I wonder? Oh wait! Ethelred was a MAN. My mistake.
Confession: The girls’ names are more fun. For one thing, there are more interesting choices from which to pick. so let’s start there:
GIRLS:
Princess Alice
Queen Alexandra
2. Alexandra: I’ve always liked this Scandinavian name, and I like it for a modern Princess, too. It has elegance, backbone, and some appealing nickname options. (Queen Alexandra was Queen Victoria’s Danish daughter in law, queen consort to King Edward of Edwardian fame. Queen Elizabeth’s middle name is Alexandra, after her great-grandmother.)
3. Mary: This once ubiquitous name now sounds fresh and sweet, and of course boasts deep spiritual and historical underpinnings. (Queen Mary was Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother. Check out her face below! I think she looks quite a bit like her famous granddaughter.)
Queen Mary
4. Maud: Why not Maud? She’s royal (Princess Maud was the great aunt of Queen Elizabeth, sister to her grandfather, King George V. She married Haakon VII of Norway and became a Norwegian queen), spunky and invigorating. A Princess Maudie would shake things up! Plus, Princess Kate is a fan of Anne of Green Gables. We know this.
5. Victoria: I absolutely swooned over the Victoria miniseries on PBS–just fell right over! And I fell in love with the strong, fierce, tender and compassionate Queen Victoria, this little one’s GGG-grandmother (I think).
Wildcard: Matilda of Flanders, 1031-1083, King William the 1st’s wife. PS: I love what the smarties at Nameberry say about Matilda, and all of the possible royal baby names.
BOYS:
Prince Arthur
1. Arthur: Again, I’m with the bookmakers all the way. Not sure why they are leaning so heavily on Arthur, but I love it. This tiny nugget won’t be king, most likely, but his name does evoke knights of the roundtable and dragon slaying pursuits. Like Alice, Arthur pulls off a double image of established and historical and warm and cozy. Prince Arthur was Queen Victoria’s seventh child.
2. Albert: Oh, how I ADORE Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s dreamy consort. He was one of the royal family’s most stalwart husbands and loving fathers, and that counts for more than all the kingly success in the world. Prince George’s namesake, George VI, was one of the good guys, too.
Prince Frederick
3. Frederick: Loveable? Check. Stately and commanding? Check, check! Prince Frederick was a grandchild of King George II.
4. Philip: From 14 Kingly and Queenly Names Fit for The Crown: “Okay, so yes, as portrayed on “The Crown,” he’s a bit of a cad…But he is Queen Elizabeth’s dearest heart, the love of her life. It was touching to see a large framed photograph of Prince Philip in the background of the Queen’s recent Christmas Day address to her people. If you can get away from pouty PP in “The Crown,” Philip belonged to a disciple of Jesus, and means “lover of horses.” 
5. Louis: Endearing and appealing Louis would be a fresh pick, honoring his father’s middle name (William Arthur Philip Louis) and his grandfather Prince Charles’ beloved uncle, Lord Mountbatten.
Lord Louis Mountbatten
Wildcard: Sweyn Forkbeard (Actually, I ran out of names.)
What would YOU like to see this royal bundle of sweetness called? Thoughts? Joys? Concerns? Concerns about Ethelred the Unready?
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Lovely list! I like Alice too! But…you forgot Edward. I think it should be in the running, at least!
I agree with Edward, BUT…I read that they won’t pick any names belonging to current members of the family, so with William’s uncle being Prince Edward it’s likely out.
Spencer for a boy. Louisa for a girl.
Oooh, I wonder if they would have the guts to throw Spencer in there? I do like Louisa, but I don’t think it is an option since Prince William’s cousin is Louise (Prince Edward’s daughter).
I LOVE Alice and Phillip.
I just wish they were having twins so they could use a boy name AND a girl name! 🙂
Alice, Alice all the way. Such a lovely old name. For a boy, Arthur is my pick.
I would be overjoyed with either one!
I love all these names (even Ethelred the Unready, because of the frank honesty), but mostly I can’t think of anyone else who should definitely be a global naming director. I nominate you!
Why, thank you! I accept your nomination!
Lovely article! Love the cupcakes. I agree, Alice is my first choice, Alexandra second. For boys, I like both Louis and Arthur. Frederick is also adorable. Thanks for the fun post, love it ❤
Thank you for sharing it on Instagram!
I’m not as immersed in Royal matters so forgive me if these suggestion are already in a middle name somewhere.
What about Diana? I like Albert for a boy.
Princess Charlotte’s middle name is Diana, so that takes that one out of the running. 🙂
My friend, I adore how excited you get about names!
It’s not in the running apparently but I am partial to Diana for a girl. Otherwise Alexandra because it would have been my name had my mom not consulted with my dad. Truly it is a rather lovely name. 😉 For a boy I choose Louis. A fine name indeed. Keep us posted … as I humbly admit that I come to you first whenever there is royal news!
You are so cute! Isn’t that crazy? That your name was between Alexandra and Denise? Mine was between Lorilee and…MARCIA! WHAT????
I would LOVE Helena! But I know that’s not particularly likely even if it does have royal history. My picks are Victoria or Alice and Arthur.
I thought of Helena too. Royal and very stately!
I adore Arthur or Louis for a boy, Alexandra or Caroline for a girl. Alice is sweet as well.
I am really leaning on Arthur!
I love Alice or Albert
Yes, Albert would be so regal and also cute!
All I can say is: you definitely need to be given the job of “global naming director”!
Thank you! I am ready to accept at any moment!
I love Helena and I really like Louis, too. I also concede the Alice and Arthur are fine royal names. What about Helena Alexandra Alice?
And Louis it is! Well done, Ann! 🙂
Margaret Carolyn Frances Windsor (girl)
Henry James Phillip Windsor (boy)
Just like these for some reason!
Great choices! too bad the palace did not consult us, eh? 🙂
Albert Philip
I thought Albert would be in there for sure! But no!
I like Alexandra for a girl and Frederick for a boy!