30 Majestic Royal Baby Names and Their Meanings

Looking for the perfect name for your new arrival? You’re sure to find the perfect fit amongst these royal baby names. Read on! Royal families are deeply tied to many cultures’ traditions, history, and identities.

It’s not surprising then that many of the most popular baby names in the world are inspired by royalty.

In this article: 📝

What are recent royal baby names?

Royal baby names are at once timeless and steeped in history.

Royal families themselves often take inspiration from the royal names of previous generations.

Take the British Prince George. Six British kings share the name of Kate and William’s eldest child.

Their daughter, Princess Charlotte, has the middle names Elizabeth and Diana, tributes to Queen Elizabeth and the late Princess Diana.

In some cases, the ties between popular royal baby names and their origins are obvious.

(The name Henry in Britain, for example, has been the name of eight of their kings.)

For others, the way the name links to royalty is less well known.

Ready to explore our favorite royal names for babies?

We’ve included our picks of both classic and unique royal baby names for you to take inspiration from.

What is a good name for a royal?

Here are some of our favorite royal names for babies:

1. Adrian. You might have heard of Hadrian’s Wall, named after the Roman emperor who commanded it be built in AD 122. Millenia later, the name has lost an H, but it remains both popular and powerful.
2. Arthur. Camelot may already be on your radar if you’re a fan of myths and legends. This British castled city is home to the knights of the round table and, of course, the great King Arthur. With all that clout, it’s no wonder it inspired one of Britain’s most famous royal boy names. Fun fact? The success of the television show Peaky Blinders recently gave the name Arthur an added boost.
3. Christian. This popular gender-neutral name has been in regular use amongst Danish kings — ten of them, to be precise.
4. Frederik. Frederik is another of Denmark’s iconic royal boy names, as nine Danish kings (plus Austrian, Prussian, and Swedish kings) were all Frederiks. The meaning of the name is “peaceful ruler.”
5. Henry. Henry is a great option for your shortlist if you’re looking for baby names synonymous with European royal families. It has been held by eight English kings, four French kings, and seven German kings.
6. Muhammed. One of the most popular baby names worldwide, this name comes from the Prophet Muhammed, the founder of Islam. Meaning “praiseworthy,” Muhammed has been held by royalty worldwide, including numerous African Kings and Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Other spellings include Muhammad, Mohammad, Muhammed, Mohamed, Mohamad, Muhamad, Muhamed, Mohamud, Mohummad, Mohummed, Mouhamed, Mohammod, and Mouhamad.

Royal girl names

Choose from one of these regal picks:

7. Alice. In addition to its links with Lewis Caroll’s famous book, the name Alice has also been made popular by royal families. The British Royal Family is no exception, belonging to Princess Alice of Battenberg, Prince Phillip’s mother.
8. Anne. The name Anne makes an appearance in many generations of British royals, from Anne Boleyn, the second wife of the British Henry VIII, to Princess Anne, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
9. Catherine. Catherine II, or Catherine the Great, was one of the most famous monarchs in history. The Empress ruled for 34 years, making her Russia's longest-ruling female leader.
10. Diana. The mother of British Princes William and Harry, Diana the Princess of Wales remains a beloved British royal to this day.
11. Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the name given to two of Britain’s most beloved monarchs — the Tudor Elizabeth I and the reigning monarch, Elizabeth II.
12. Grace. Taking a detour from the typical origin of royal girl names, why not take inspiration from the fairytale story of Grace Kelly? After her marriage, this member of Hollywood royalty became the Princess consort of Monaco.
13. Isabella. Isabella, meaning “pledged to god,” has been prevalent throughout Europe's royal families, including royalty from England, Portugal, Hungary, and France.
14. Josephine. Empress Joséphine was Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife. Their relationship is one of history’s most famous stormy love affairs.
15. Mary. Mary I and Mary Queen of Scots were two of the most ferocious queens in English history. Interestingly, the name derives from a root meaning “rebellious,” — but it could also mean “beloved” or “drop of the sea.”

Royal boy names

How about one of these kingly options?

16. Albert. This name belonged to the famous husband of Queen Victoria and her eldest son. Inspired by its use in the Royal Family, its popularity rose throughout Britain during the 19th century. It also has a most royal meaning — “bright and noble.”
17. Alexander. Rulers across the world have been named Alexander. But Alexander the Great is considered history's most famous.
18. Alfred. Alfred was another of Queen Victoria’s sons, and he had the charming nickname of Affie.
19. Charles. Charles has been the name of two English kings and the son of Elizabeth II, Prince Charles.
20. David. King David was the second king of ancient Israel. His Hebrew name means “beloved.”
21. Edward. Meaning “rich guard,” Edward is a strong, timeless royal boy name. It’s hardly surprising that a whopping eight English kings have been Edwards.
22. George. Another favorite amongst English kings, there have been six King Georges to date.
23. James. King James I, the son of Mary Queen of Scots, started as King of Scotland to later become King of England too. One of his most significant claims to fame is the early design of the Union Jack, the flag still in use in the UK today.
24. Leopold. Leopold is a name that has featured in royal families worldwide, including the King of Belgium (the uncle of Queen Victoria) and two Roman emperors. The name derives from German, meaning “bold” and “people.”
25. William. The name of four English kings and Prince William, grandson of Elizabeth II, this name is at once traditional and modern. It means “strong-willed warrior,” perfect for your determined little prince.

What are some unique royal names?

Finally, why not try one of these more unique options:

26. Amina. Amina has Arabic origins and means “safe one.” It’s the name of the Prophet Muhammed's mother and the 16th century Nigerian Princess Amina, renowned for her strength, skill in military combat, and bravery.
27. Anastasia. Of all the royal girl names on our list, this name has one of the more unique tales attached to it. It was widely (but mistakenly) hoped that the daughter of Tsar Nicholas II — the last of the Romanovs and the final Tsar to rule Russia — had secretly escaped the revolution. She was in fact killed with her family in 1918.
28. Astrid. Astrid has been the name of many Nordic queens. It originates from the Old Norse language and means “divinely beautiful.”
29. Liliʻuokalani. The only queen of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Liliʻuokalani was renowned for fighting for Hawaii’s independence. She also write both books and songs that helped preserve her islands’ culture.
30. Nefertiti. Nefertiti was one of ancient Egypt’s most famous queens and ruled alongside her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten. Together, they brought about a major religious revolution in which they worshipped the sun god Aten as the only god.
    We hope you enjoyed exploring the origins of our favorite royal baby names.

All the best with your choice.

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