Beyond Buckingham Palace: 11 Unique Royal Baby Names
The British royal family has always been a source of fascination and intrigue, with their lavish lifestyles and historic traditions. One of the most exciting events for royal followers is the birth of a new royal baby, as it brings a sense of joy and excitement to the nation. But while many royal babies are given traditional names such as William or Elizabeth, there have been some unique and unconventional names chosen for the newest additions to the family. In this blog post, we will explore 11 unique royal baby names that go beyond the usual royal monikers.
1. Savannah
In 2001, the birth of Savannah Phillips marked the first time a royal baby was given a name that was not of British origin. Savannah is a name of Spanish origin, meaning “grassland” or “treeless plain.” It was chosen by Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, and his wife Autumn, who wanted a name that reflected their daughter’s birthplace in Canada. Savannah now has a younger sister named Isla, another non-traditional name in the royal family.
2. Zara
Another unique name chosen by Princess Anne, Zara is of Arabic origin and means “princess” or “flower.” It was chosen for her daughter, Zara Tindall, who is known for her success as an equestrian and her down-to-earth personality. The name has become increasingly popular in recent years, but Zara remains the only royal to bear this name.
3. Mia
Zara’s younger brother, Peter Phillips, also chose a non-traditional name for his daughter. Mia is of Italian origin, meaning “mine” or “my beloved.” It is a name that has become popular in the UK, but it was a surprising choice for a royal baby. However, it perfectly suits the fun and outgoing personality of Mia Tindall.
4. Louise
Princess Anne’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, was named after her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. However, the name Louise is not commonly used in the royal family, making it a unique choice. It is of French origin, meaning “famous warrior” or “renowned fighter.” Lady Louise is the youngest granddaughter of the Queen and is known for her love of horse riding and artistic talents.
5. James
While James may seem like a traditional royal name, it is unique in the sense that it is rarely used as a first name in the royal family. Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, chose this name for their son, James, Viscount Severn. The name is of English origin, meaning “supplanter” or “one who follows.” Prince James is currently 13th in line to the throne.
Beyond Buckingham Palace: 11 Unique Royal Baby Names
6. Beatrice and Eugenie
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the daughters of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, both have unique names in the royal family. Beatrice is of Latin origin, meaning “voyager” or “blessed.” Eugenie is of Greek origin, meaning “well-born” or “noble.” These names may seem traditional, but they are not commonly used in the royal family, making them unique choices for the princesses.
7. August and Hal
The most recent additions to the royal family, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, also chose unique names for their son and daughter. Their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, has a name that is not often used in the royal family. However, the couple has also chosen some unique nicknames for their children. They call their son “Arch” and their daughter “Lili,” which are shortened versions of their given names, making them even more unique.
8. Charlotte
Although Charlotte may seem like a traditional name, it is unique in the sense that it is not commonly used in the royal family. It was chosen by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their daughter, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. The name has French origins and means “free man” or “petite.” Princess Charlotte is known for her adorable personality and is currently fourth in line to the throne.
9. Savannah and Isla
In addition to Savannah and Isla Phillips, there are two other royal babies with these unique names. Princess Madeleine of Sweden chose the name Leonore for her daughter, who is known as Leonore Lilian Maria, Duchess of Gotland. The name Leonore is of Greek origin, meaning “light” or “torch.” Another Swedish princess, Princess Sofia, chose the name Alexander for her son, who is known as Prince Alexander of Sweden. The name Alexander is of Greek origin, meaning “defender” or “protector.”
10. Ingrid Alexandra
In Norway, the name Ingrid Alexandra is not uncommon, but it is not a name that has been used in the British royal family. However, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway named their daughter Ingrid Alexandra, who is known as Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway. The name has Scandinavian origins and means “beautiful” or “fair.”
11. Leonor and Sofia
The Spanish royal family also has some unique names for their children. Princess Leonor, who is known as Leonor, Princess of Asturias, is the eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Her name is of Spanish origin, meaning “light” or “sun.” Her younger sister, Infanta Sofia, is known as Sofia, Princess of Asturias. The name Sofia is of Greek origin, meaning “wisdom” or “skill.”
Summary: The British royal family is known for their traditional names, but there have been some unique and unconventional names chosen for royal babies in recent years. From Savannah to Ingrid Alexandra, these names go beyond the usual royal monikers and have origins from different countries. This blog post explores 11 unique royal baby names and the stories behind them.