Royal Baby Names Rule

Updated Sat Apr 06 2024

If you like names that are classic and timeless, international and deep-rooted, royal names could be the perfect style for you.

These are the names worn by kings, queens, princes, princesses and their families (focussing on European ones here) from early medieval times to the present day — some names have even been in constant use the whole time.

You don’t even have to be a fan of monarchy (or The Crown) to like or use these names. Because they’re enduring classics, they’ve had thousands of namesakes over the years, in every rank of society. If your children are George, James, Alice and Elizabeth, they could be named after grandparents, or saints, or artists, or figures in American history, or no one at all, just as easily as kings and queens. But if you’re drawn to names like these? Then you’ll probably like other royal names too.

In this ultimate guide, discover the most popular and classic royal names, see what today’s princely parents are naming their children, and check out more names with royalty in their meaning.

Popular Royal Names

Do you love any royal names without realizing it? These names in the US Top 200 have all belonged to kings, queens, princes or princesses.

Classic Royal Names

What are the most royal names of all? The names of well-known British monarchs — like Henry and Elizabeth — certainly make the list, as do those of princes and princesses (hello, Albert and Eugenie). We’ve also included a selection from other European countries: the Danish royal family wouldn’t be complete without Christian, nor the French court without Marie.

Looking back through history gives us medieval rulers like Alfred and Edith, as well as interestingly-named monarchs’ spouses, like Eleanor and Philippa. New dynasties brought their own names with them. For instance, King George I’s children had German-style royal names: Georg August and Sophia Dorothea.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (re)introduced many names into the British royal family with their nine children, including Beatrice, Helena and Arthur. Like many Victorian innovations, they now feel like age-old traditions.

We’ve combined all of these influences into a list of names for a king, queen, prince or princess.

Modern British Royal Names

The youngest generation of the UK’s royal family blends traditional classics with on-trend modern favorites. As you’d expect from a future heir to the throne, Prince William’s children are the most conservative sibset, but all three have first names that were in the England and Wales Top 100 when they were born (and have risen even higher since).

Even their cousins with less traditional first names have middle names that honor family members, whether that’s a straightforward Elizabeth for great-granny, or Harrison for Prince Harry’s son.

Here are all the great-grandchildren of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Children of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge:

George Alexander Louis (born 2013)

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana (born 2015)

Louis Arthur Charles (born 2018)

Children of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex:

Archie Harrison (born 2019)

Lilibet Diana (born 2021)

Children of Peter and Autumn Phillips:

Savannah Anne Kathleen (born 2010)

Isla Elizabeth (born 2012)

Children of Zara and Mike Tindall:

Mia Grace (born 2014)

Lena Elizabeth (born 2018)

Lucas Philip (born 2021)

Children of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank:

August Philip Hawke (born 2021)

Ernest George Ronnie (born 2023)

Child of Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi:

Sienna Elizabeth (born 2021)

European Royal Baby Names

The Brits don’t get all the fun! Beyond the UK, other royal families use names that are just as traditional and often family-oriented, with their own national flavor. They can be eye-wateringly long, especially in Catholic countries: for example, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg has a grandson named Charles Jean Philippe Joseph Marie Guillaume. On the other hand, some have more contemporary names, like Charles’s cousin Liam.

If you want a regal-sounding name that would be at home in Sweden or Spain, these may inspire you. They belong to the youngest generation of European princes and princesses in Europe, born in the last thirty years.

Names Meaning Royal

Names with royal meanings have always been with us, passed across languages over the centuries until they’re hiding in names as familiar as Sarah and Henry. Here are some wonderful names with regal meanings hiding in plain sight.

Royal Word Names

The newest wave of royal names has a very different flavor! Recently, there has been a movement towards English word names that shout status, confidence and power. Among these are royal names, including titles, like King and Princess, as well as words like Royal itself. They celebrate the trappings of royalty, whether worldly or spiritual, but break free from tradition.

We can see this play out in celebrity baby names — Lil’ Kim’s daughter Royal Reign, Nick Cannon’s daughter Powerful Queen — but they’re not alone. Here are more royal word names that have been given to hundreds if not thousands of children.

If sovereign style is your thing, get more inspiration in our list of royal baby names.

About the Author

Clare Green

Clare Green has been writing for Nameberry since 2015, covering everything from names peaking right now to feminist baby names, and keeping up-to-date with international baby name rankings. Her work has featured in publications such as The Independent and HuffPost. Clare has a background in linguistics and librarianship, and recently completed an MA dissertation researching names in multilingual families. She lives in England with her husband and son. You can reach her at clare@nameberry.com

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