53 Royal Baby Names

Learn the meaning and origins of royal baby names from around the world

baby with crown
Getty Images / Pstaude

For many expectant parents, trying to pick a name for their newborn can be challenging. Some choose to name their baby after themselves, family members, a celebrity, or by scrolling through endless lists. Others turn to royal families for inspiration. And though the British royals are an easy option if you want a classic moniker, there are other monarchies to choose from where you may find something unique.   

Popular Royal Baby Names for Girls

Here are some of the most popular royal baby names, meanings, and famous namesakes for girls.

Alexandra

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Defender of mankind/people
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alessandra, Alixandra, Aleksandra
  • Famous Namesakes: Explorer Alexandra David-Neel and actor Alexandra Paul
  • Peak Popularity: 1996
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Denmark, Russia, and Greece

Alice

  • Origin: English 
  • Meaning: From nobility
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alaïs, Adalheidis, Adalheide, Adelheide, Alicia, Alisha, Alisa, Alissa, Alitha, Alita
  • Famous Namesakes: Authors Alice Hoffman, Alice Sebold, and Alice Walker; women's suffragist Alice Paul 
  • Peak Popularity: The name became popular during the Victorian era after Lewis Carroll’s "Alice in Wonderland" was published in 1865. It peaked in popularity in the United States in 1906 and was the 76th most popular name for baby girls born in the United States in 2020.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Monaco

Amina

  • Origin: Arabic
  • Meaning: Safe one, trustworthy, honest
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aminah
  • Famous Namesakes: 16th-century Nigerian princess Amina Mohamud, Prophet Muhammad’s mother Aminah bint Wahb, Egyptian actress Amina Rizk
  • Peak Popularity: Amina ranked at number 330 among names given to baby girls in the U.S. in 2020.
  • Monarchy: Nigeria

Anastasia

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Resurrection, will rise again 
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Annastasia, Anastascia, Anastasha, Ansestasia, Anastaysha, Anastasya, Anastasiya 
  • Famous Namesakes: Youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Anastasiya Nikolayevna, singer Annastasia Baker, skater Anastasia Martiusheva
  • Peak Popularity: This name has been popular for over 100 years. As of 2020, it was ranked 158th on the U.S. Social Security Administration's (SSA’s) baby names popularity chart.
  • Monarchy: Russia

Anne

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Favored, grace
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ann, Anya, Anais, Ana, Nina, Hanna, Anahi, Anika, and Chana
  • Famous Namesakes: Singer Anne Wilson, Queen of England Anne Boleyn 
  • Peak Popularity: Anne has been a popular name for centuries but left the U.S. top 100 around 1970. Anna, however, is still in the top 100 (at number 69 in 2020).
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Denmark, Austria, and Greece

Astrid

  • Origin: Ancient Scandinavian
  • Meaning: God's strength, divinely beautiful
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Assan, Asta, Astride, Ástríður, Astrithr
  • Famous Namesakes: Writer Astrid Lindgren 
  • Peak Popularity: Astrid has never been popular in the United States, but reached its highest ranking of 452 in 2020.
  • Monarchy: Sweden, Norway

Beatrice

  • Origin: French
  • Meaning: Bringer of joy
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Beatrisa, Beatriz, Beatrix
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Bea Arthur and BeBe Neuwirth; Princess Beatrice, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Peak Popularity: The name Beatrice was most popular in the United States in 1910.
  • Monarchy: Hungary, Great Britain

Catherine

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Pure
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Katheryn, Katharyn, Kathryne, Katherine, Kathrine, Catharine, Cathryn
  • Famous Namesakes: Empress of Russia Catherine the Great, actor Catherine Zeta-Jones
  • Peak Popularity: In this spelling, Catherine peaked in popularity in the United States in 1917.
  • Monarchy: Russia, Sweden

Caroline 

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Free/beautiful woman
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Karolyn, Carolyne, Carolynn, Carolina
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor Caroline Rhea, author and diplomat Caroline Kennedy
  • Peak Popularity: Caroline peaked in popularity in the United States in 2018, ranking 55th.
  • Monarchy: Monaco, Great Britain, Italy

Charlotte

  • Origin: French
  • Meaning: Petite, feminine
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Charlie, Lottie, Lotte, Carlota, Carlotta
  • Famous Namesakes: Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Charlotte Princess of Monaco; author Charlotte Bronte
  • Peak Popularity: In 2020, Charlotte was the 4th most popular name given to baby girls in the United States.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Monaco

Christina

  • Origin: Greek, English, Latin, Hebrew
  • Meaning: Follower of Christ
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cristina, Kristen, Cristyn, Christena, Kristina
  • Famous Namesakes: Singers Christina Aguilera and Christina Milian; actors Christina Ricci and Christina Applegate
  • Peak Popularity: It was most popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Monarchy: Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria

Gabriella 

  • Origin: Italian
  • Meaning: God is my strength, devoted to God
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gabriela, Gabriele
  • Famous Namesakes: Tennis player Gabriela Sabatini, Princess Gabriella of Monaco
  • Peak Popularity: Gabriella has been on the U.S. top 100 names list since 2000.
  • Monarchy: Monaco

Grace

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Charm, God’s favor
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Grayce, Gracia, Graciella
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor and Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly, singer Grace Slick, model Grace Jones
  • Peak Popularity: Grace attained its highest popularity in the United States in 2004.
  • Monarchy: Monaco

Diana

  • Origin: Indo-European 
  • Meaning: Heavenly, divine
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Diane, Dianna, Dianne
  • Famous Namesakes: Singer Diana Ross; Diana, Princess of Wales; Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor (daughter of Prince Harry and Megan Markle)
  • Peak Popularity: Diana was ranked among the top 100 girl names in the United States from 1941 to 1975.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Elizabeth

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: God is abundant, God is my oath
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Elisabeth, Elisheba, Elisavet, Elisabetta, Elisabet, Elspeth
  • Famous Namesakes: Queens Elizabeth I and II; actors Elizabeth Shue, Elizabeth Perkins, Elizabeth Banks, and Elizabeth Montgomery
  • Peak Popularity: Elizabeth has been among the top 25 most popular girl names for the past 100 years.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Austria

Helena

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Torch, light
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Helene, Elena, Helenna, Hellena, Hellenna
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Helena Bonham Carter, Helena Christensen, and Helena Mattsson
  • Peak Popularity: Helena was at its most popular in the United States during the early 1900s.
  • Monarchy: Ancient Rome

Indira

  • Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: Beauty, splendid
  • Famous Namesakes: Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi
  • Peak Popularity: Indira has never appeared in the top 1,000 baby names in the the United States.
  • Monarchy: India (Indira Gandhi was an elected official and also the daughter of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru)

Isabella

  • Origin: Italian
  • Meaning: God is my oath
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Isabela, Izabela, Izabella
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Isabella Rossellini and Isabella Hofmann
  • Peak Popularity: Ranked at number one in the United States in 2009 and 2010, Isabella has been in the top 50 since 2000.
  • Monarchy: Hungary, Spain, Portugal

Lilibet

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: God is my oath, God's promise
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Short for the name Elizabeth; related to the name Lilibeth; sometimes shortened to Lili
  • Famous Namesakes: Lilibet is short for Elizabeth and is the nickname for Queen Elizabeth II (used only by her parents, siblings, and the late Prince Philip) as well as the name of Prince Harry and Megan Markle's daughter, born in 2021.
  • Peak Popularity: Lilibet has never ranked in the U.S. top 1,000, but the similar name Lily peaked at number 15 in 2011.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Liliʻuokalani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Smarting of the high-born ones
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Liliuokalani 
  • Famous Namesakes: Hawaii's first queen and final sovereign ruler Lili'uokalani (born Lydia Kamaka‘eha)
  • Peak Popularity: Liliʻuokalani is not ranked in the United States.
  • Monarchy: Hawaiian Kingdom

Madeleine

  • Origin: French
  • Meaning: Woman of Magdala
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Madeline, Madelyn, Madilyn
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor Madeleine Stowe and politician Madeleine Albright
  • Peak Popularity: Madeleine hit peak popularity in 1998.
  • Monarchy: Sweden

Margaret

  • Origin: Greek 
  • Meaning: Pearl
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Margret, Margrette, Margarette
  • Famous Namesakes: British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, comedian Margaret Cho, and author Margaret Atwood
  • Peak Popularity: Margaret was one of the top 5 names given to baby girls in the U.S. from 1900 to 1930.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands

Nefertiti

  • Origin: Egyptian
  • Meaning: The perfect one has arrived
  • Famous Namesakes: Queen of ancient Egypt Nefertiti 
  • Peak Popularity: This name is not ranked in the United States.
  • Monarchy: Egypt 

Philippa

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Lover of Horses
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Filippa, Filipa, Phillipa, Philipa
  • Famous Namesakes: Novelist Philippa Gregory
  • Peak Popularity: Philippa is not ranked in the United States.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway

Sophie

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Wisdom
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sofee, Sofeigh, Sofey, Sofi, Sofie, Sophee, Sophei, Sopheig, Sofija, Sofiya, Sofya, Sofia
  • Famous Namesakes: Singer Sophie Ballantine Hawkins
  • Peak Popularity: Sophie reached peak popularity in the United States in 2011.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway

Stephanie

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Crown
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Stefani, Stephani, Stephania, Stephany, Stefanie 
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor Stefanie Powers, singer Stephanie Mills
  • Peak Popularity: From 1969 to 1996, Stephanie was a top-20 baby name in the United States.
  • Monarchy: France, Spain, Portugal

Tatiana

  • Origin: Russian
  • Meaning: Fairy queen
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Tatyana, Tateeana, Tatyanna, Tatianna
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor Tatyana Ali and tennis player Tatiana Golovin 
  • Peak Popularity: In 1999, Tatiana reached its highest popularity in the United States.
  • Monarchy: Russia

Teimei

  • Origin: Japanese
  • Meaning: Enlightened constancy
  • Famous Namesakes: Japanese Empress Teimei 
  • Peak Popularity: Teimei is not ranked in the United States.
  • Monarchy: Japan

Victoria

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Winner or conqueror 
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Victory, Vickitoria, Viktoria
  • Famous Namesakes: Fashion designer and singer Victoria Beckham, actor and writer Victoria Rowell
  • Peak Popularity: Victoria hit peak popularity in the United States in 1999.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Popular Royal Baby Names for Boys

Here are some of the most popular royal baby boy names with their meanings and origins.

Albert

  • Origin: Germanic
  • Meaning: Noble and bright
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Abert, Adalbert, Adelbert, Delbert, Adbert, Elbert, Alberto, Albrecht, Alprecht, Alpert
  • Famous Namesakes: Physicist Albert Einstein, baseball player Albert Pujols, actor Albert Brooks
  • Peak Popularity: Albert hit peak popularity in the United States in 1910.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Alexander

  • Origin: Greek 
  • Meaning: Defender of the people
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alex, Alexey, Alexis, Alexandre, Alessandro, Alejandro
  • Famous Namesakes: Historical ruler Alexander the Great, baseball player Alex Rodriguez, actor Alexander Skarsgård 
  • Peak Popularity: Alexander has been among the top 20 most popular boy names in the United States since 2000.
  • Monarchy: Macedonia, Scotland, Poland, Yugoslavia, Russia

Andrew

  • Origin: Greek 
  • Meaning: Manly, masculine
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Andre, Andreas, Andrei
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor Andrew Garfield, Artist Andy Warhol, President Andrew Jackson
  • Peak Popularity: Andrew was at its most popular in the United States in 2003.
  • Monarchy: Hungary

Archie

  • Origin: German
  • Meaning: Genuine, bold, brave
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Archbold, Archbald, Archibaldson, Archibald, Archibold, Harchbald, Arkanbaldus, Archebal
  • Famous Namesakes: Boxer Archie Moore; actor Archie David Kao; Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, son of Prince Harry and great-grandson of Queen Elizabeth II
  • Peak Popularity: Archie has become more popular in the United States, moving up in the rankings from 982 in 2018 to 466 in 2020.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Arthur

  • Origin: Welsh-Latin 
  • Meaning: Bear, eagle
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Artur, Arturo, Arttu, Artturi
  • Famous Namesakes: Singer Art Garfunkel and tennis player Arthur Ashe
  • Peak Popularity: Arthur hit peak popularity in the United States in 1901.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Augustus

  • Origin: Slavic, Latin
  • Meaning: Exalted, majestic, the increaser, venerable
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: August, Augusto, Austin, Augustine, Agustin
  • Famous Namesakes: Roman emperor Augustus 
  • Peak Popularity: Augustus was most popular in the United States in 1904, but saw a marked increase in 2017 also.
  • Monarchy: Poland, Ancient Rome

Charles

  • Origin: Germanic
  • Meaning: Man, army, warrior
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Carl, Carles, Carlinhos, Carlito, Carlitos, Carlos, Carlu, Carolus, Kaarle, Kaarlo, Kalle, Karel, Karl, Karlo, Karol
  • Famous Namesakes: Novelist Charles Dickens, basketball player Charles Barkley, actor Charlie Chaplin, Prince Charles (oldest son of Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Peak Popularity: Charles was most popular in the early 1900s but has remained among the top 100 boy names in the United States for more than 100 years.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Christian 

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Follower of Christ
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cristian, Cristiano
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Christian Bale and Christian Slater
  • Peak Popularity: Christian was popular in the United States the 2000s.
  • Monarchy: Denmark

Christopher

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Bearer of Christ
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Christoph, Christophoros, Cristoforo, Christôvao, Cristofor, Crisóforo, Christophe, Krzysztof, Kristofer, Kristoffer
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, and Chris Pines
  • Peak Popularity: Among the top 50 most popular boy names in the United States since 1955, Christopher was ranked number 2 or 3 every year from 1972 to 1995.
  • Monarchy: Denmark, Bavaria

Edward

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Riches, prosperous
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Eduard, Édouard, Eduardo
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor and comedian Eddie Murphy, singer Ed Sheeran, musician Eddie Van Halen 
  • Peak Popularity: Edward was most popular in the United States in the early to mid 20th century.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

George

  • Origin: Greek 
  • Meaning: Farmer, earth-worker
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jorge, Jorg, Georgio, Georgios
  • Famous Namesakes: Presidents George Washington and George Bush; actor George Clooney; Prince George of Cambridge (son of Prince William)
  • Peak Popularity: George was most popular in the United States in the early to mid 20th century.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Harry

  • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Army ruler
  • Famous Namesakes: Singer Harry Styles; President Harry S. Truman; illusionist Harry Houdini; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (born Henry Charles Albert David)
  • Peak Popularity: Harry was at peak popularity in the United States prior to 1930.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain

Henry 

  • Origin: Germanic
  • Meaning: Home, power, ruler
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Henrey, Henri, Henrie
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Henry Winkler, Henry Fonda, and Henry Cavill; politician Henry Kissinger 
  • Peak Popularity: Henry has risen in the popularity rankings in the United States, moving up from 29 in 2015 to 9 in 2020.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Germany, France

Jacques

  • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Supplanter
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jaques, Jack, Jacks, Jackes, Jakes, Jeeks, Jeke, Jeex, Jaquiss, Jaquez, Jaquis 
  • Famous Namesakes: Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, philosopher Jacques Derrida
  • Peak Popularity: 1969 was a popular year for the name Jacques in the United States.
  • Monarchy: Monaco

Leopold

  • Origin: Germanic
  • Meaning: Brave
  • Famous Namesakes: Léopold Eyharts, French astronaut
  • Peak Popularity: Leopold was at its most popular in 1916 in the United States.
  • Monarchy: Great Britain, Belgium

James

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Supplanter
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jae, Jay, Jem, Jaime, Jamey, Jim
  • Famous Namesakes: Novelist and poet James Joyce, actor James Stewart
  • Peak Popularity: James has remained one of the 20 most popular names in the United States since 1900, It was the number 1 most popular boy's name from 1940 to 1952.
  • Monarchy: Scotland

Louis

  • Origin: Germanic 
  • Meaning: Renowned warrior
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lou, Ludwig, Louie, Luigi, Ludovic, Lewis, Lois, Louise
  • Famous Namesakes: Trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong; actors Louis Gossett Jr., Lou Diamond Phillips, Lou Ferrigno; religious leader and political activist Louis Farrakhan; Prince Louis of Cambridge (son of Prince William)
  • Peak Popularity: The name Louis was most popular in the United States in 1914.
  • Monarchy: France

Malcolm

  • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Devotee of Saint Columba
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Malcom, Máel Coluim, Maol Choluim
  • Famous Namesakes: Minister and human rights activist Malcolm X 
  • Peak Popularity: Malcolm has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the United States, rising from a ranking of 599 in 2009 to 290 in 2020.
  • Monarchy: Scotland

Michael

  • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Who is like God?
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mikael, Mikhael
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Michael J. Fox and Michael Landon; basketball player Michael Jordan
  • Peak Popularity: Michael has been consistently popular in the United States since 1940, ranking as the number one boy's name almost every year from 1954 to 1998.
  • Monarchy: Russia, Romania, Portugal, Poland 

Muhammad

  • Origin: Arabic
  • Meaning: Praised
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mohammed, Mohammad, Muhammed, Mohamed, Mohamad, Muhamad, Muhamed, Mohamud, Mohummad, Mohummed, Mouhamed, Mohammod, Mouhamad
  • Peak Popularity: Muhammad attained its greatest popularity so far in the United States in 2020 with a ranking of 309 among boy names.
  • Monarchy: Morocco, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Nicholas

  • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Victory of the people
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nickolas, Nikolas, Nikolaus, Nicolas, Nikolai
  • Famous Namesakes: Actors Nick Nolte and Nicolas Cage; singer Nick Jonas
  • Peak Popularity: Nicholas was among the top 25 boy names in the United States from 1978 to 2007.
  • Monarchy: Russia

Philip

  • Origin: Greek 
  • Meaning: Lover of horses
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Phillip
  • Famous Namesakes: Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman; singer Phil Collins
  • Peak Popularity: Philip was most popular in the United States in 1941.
  • Monarchy: Macedonia, France, Spain 

William

  • Origin: Germanic 
  • Meaning: Will or desire
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Wilhelm, Guillaume, Willian, Guillermo, Guglielmo, Guilherme, Gwilym
  • Famous Namesakes: President Bill Clinton, poet and playwright William Shakespeare, Prince William (son of Prince Charles, grandson of Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Peak Popularity: William has been a top 20 name in the U.S. for over a hundred years. In 2020, it was number 5.
  • Monarchy: Scotland, England, Ireland

Umberto

  • Origin: Italian
  • Meaning: Bright warrior
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Humberto
  • Famous Namesakes: Astronaut Umberto Guidoni
  • Peak Popularity: Umberto has never been on the U.S. top 1,000 boy's names list.
  • Monarchy: Italy