One of the most exciting events surrounding the arrival of a new royal baby is news of the chosen name. History lovers, royal followers and people from all walks of life seem to be captivated by the names that royal families choose for their children.
On occasion, the choice will be a break from tradition or a radical new name that few have even heard of. Typically, however, royal baby names are usually selected from a relatively short list of traditional first names, many with historical references or heritage.
Here are some of the traditional royal girl names that have appeared regularly in royal circles for centuries.
• Catherine
Held by the current Queen Of England-in-waiting, Catherine may be the name of one of the most popular contemporary royals, but it also has a rich and esteemed history across many generations of royal families all around the world.
From Catherine the Great, the famous Empress of Russia, to Catherine de Medici, a Renaissance Queen of France to the legendary Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of the infamous King Henry VIII of England.
Other famous royal women in this exclusive club include Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr – the fifth and sixth wives of King Henry VIII. The fact that one of England’s most famous kings had three wives named Catherine reflects just how popular this name was in royal circles during the Tudor period. Yet, this is a traditional name with staying power, being hugely popular in modern times, especially in its contemporary variations such as Katie, Kate and Cathy.
• Caroline
Caroline is another traditional royal girl name that has featured regularly throughout the history of royal ladies, particularly throughout the regal dynasties of Europe. The popularity of the name Caroline is perhaps explained by its origin, as it relates to the French feminine variations of the name Charles, which has been a great royal name for many centuries, held by numerous monarchs across a range of kingdoms.
The famous Carolingian dynasty of the Middle Ages was a reference to its founders, named Charles and Charlemagne, and it’s easy to see how the name Caroline might have been influenced by the rich history of this period.
A more modern example of the popularity of this name for royal offspring is the daughter of the famous Princess Grace of Monaco – the Hollywood star who married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. Their celebrity and the public appeal of their daughter, Princess Caroline, marked a revival in the name in the 1960s and 1970s, as many new parents were influenced and inspired by the glamorous royals of Monaco.
• Beatrice
Beatrice is another traditional royal girl name that is enjoying a revival in modern times, as it was chosen for a new English princess in 1988, the daughter of Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. The high profile celebrity of the young Princess Beatrice sparked a new interest in the name, though it has been a favourite among royals for many generations.
Various realms and provinces throughout Europe feature a Queen Beatrice or Princess Beatrice, including Bavaria, Bohemia, Burgundy, Castile, Hungary, Luxembourg, Naples, Portugal, and Provence. A popular variation of the name is Beatrix, made famous by the author and artist Beatrix Potter, and a modern shortened version, Bea, is also a popular choice for a girl’s name.
• Isabella
Throughout history, Isabella has been a popular name for queens and princesses. Perhaps the most famous example is the legendary Queen Isabella of Castile, one of the iconic Catholic Monarchs of Spain. There have been a great many other royal Isabellas throughout the European royal families, including those in England, Portugal, France, Germany, Denmark, and Austria. Some of these have been famous royal queens, and there have also been many princesses called Isabella.
In modern times, Prince Isabella of Denmark is a contemporary example of the popularity of this name in royal circles, upholding a rich heritage of European royalty and historic tradition. Variations and shortened versions of this lovely royal girl name include Isobel, Isabelle, Isa and Bella.
• Victoria
As the name of one of England’s longest-reigning monarchs during the height of the British Empire, Victoria has long been associated with royalty and tradition. Queen Victoria was born in 1819, the daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathern, and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Saalfield-Coburg. The fact that Queen Victoria’s mother was also called Victoria suggests that this was already a popular traditional name within royal families. Queen Victoria would continue this tradition, calling her own eldest daughter Victoria, though this would be shortened to Vicky – a practice for many parents who name their children after themselves.
The name Victoria would also become synonymous with the period of the great English queen’s reign, which lasted over 63 years and was among one of the most enduring regal tenures of its time. The Victorian period has become such a well-known epoch of modern history that the name Victoria will forever be linked with the characteristics of the time. The name continues to be a popular girl’s name at all levels of society, including contemporary royals, such as the current Crown Princess of Sweden.
• Charlotte
Charlotte is another traditional royal girl name that, like Caroline, originates from the popular king’s name, Charles. It has also been a favourite among royal families throughout Europe. One of the most famous bearers of this popular royal name was Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III of England, regarded as one of Britain’s longest-serving queen consorts with a reign of 57 years, and a union that produced 15 children, many of which would become some of the most famous names in British royalty.
This heritage is perhaps what influenced the choice of name for the current heir to the English throne, Prince William, and his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, when their eldest daughter was born in 2015. As this young princess is a strong contender for a future British monarch, she will likely usher in a new era of popularity for this historic royal girl’s name.
These are just a few of the traditional royal girl names that have been popular throughout history and remain chosen favourites in modern times. Imbued with a combination of rich heritage and contemporary glamour, it’s little wonder these legendary royal names are as appealing as ever.