The Criteria for Royal Names

[Augustine Rose]

I figure that this is the best place to post something like this.

What do you think determine's the naming criteria for those in royal circles?

I know the Queen has some say in what her immediate family members name their children, but what about those in wider circles?

What do you think stops them from using a name like Caitlin?

Also, what names should be retired from use, and what names should royals be using?

[JessiesGirl]

well I read the Queens biography.. well one of them.. and her father named her... then told his parents.. so I am not sure that the king or Queen have say...


Princess Anne used Zara!!! thats unique :)

[Augustine Rose]

Ah I read somewhere that Prince Edward, consulted the Queen when naming both Louise and James, so I just figured...

[KNY]

I think the ones who are not directly in line for the throne, like Princess Anne's kids, get a little more latitude with uncommon names. I doubt Princess Diana could have broken with tradition that way.

[JessiesGirl]

I think they kinda of seek approval more then need it :)

[Antje]

well I read the Queens biography.. well one of them.. and her father named her... then told his parents.. so I am not sure that the king or Queen have say...


King George VI (when Duke of York) told his father George V that he was going to name his daughter (Queen Elizabeth II) Elizabeth Alexandra Mary and asked if there should be a 'Victoria' in there (since she was Queen Victoria's descendent and practically every girl in the family had Victoria as one of their names). George V told him it was unnecessary since Elizabeth was already a great-great-granddaughter.

I think nowadays they follow tradition (obviously take Anne out of it :wink:). But in older times it was usual for the child to be named after a family member/godparent. Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI's children's names were chosen by their godparents - the Dauphin Louis Joseph was named this because his uncle/godfather Emperor Joseph II of Austria chose it (the same for Marie Therese and the Empress Maria Theresa).

Queen Victoria had a big say in everyone's children's names. She wished every boy to have Albert amongst his names and every girl Victoria. And she openly complained when a child didn't get the name she wanted (like her son Alfred's eldest daughter Princess Marie Alexandra Victoria - she was mad Victoria was only the third name). There was a big family fight when Kaiser Wilhelm II kept naming his sons after everyone else but his father, and he made up by calling his only daughter Viktoria.

[Augustine Rose]

You know, that's one thing I noticed with Queen Victoria's children. I didn't realise that it extended to other generations as well. Interesting.

[Antje]

I just remembered that with Andrew and Fergie's daughters, it was Sarah who chose to honor Andrew's family - Princess Eugenie is named Eugenie Victoria Helena after Empress Eugénie of France/Queen Victoria/QV's third daughter Princess Helena and Princess Beatrice was named after QV's youngest daughter.

With Prince Edward's children - Louise's first mn Alice is after Prince Philip's mother (who in turn was named after her grandmother, Queen Victoria's second daughter). I'm not sure if they got Louise from QV's fourth daughter or Philip's aunt Queen Louise of Sweden. James' third mn Theo is after Sophie's grandfather Theophilius.