Marie Claire UK Marie Claire UK
  • Fashion Fashion
      • Fashion
        • View all Fashion
        • Fashion Trends
        • Shopping
        • Watches and Jewellery
        • Fashion News
  • Beauty Beauty
      • Beauty
        • View all Beauty
        • Fragrance
        • Hair
        • Make Up
        • Skincare
        • Nails
        • Marie Claire Beauty Awards
  • Health Health
      • Health
        • View all Health
        • Fitness
        • Nutrition
        • Female Health
        • Wellbeing
  • Life Life
      • Life
        • View all Life
        • Opinions
        • Travel
        • Sustainability
        • Weddings
        • Money & Work
        • Competitions
  • Culture Culture
      • Culture
        • View all Culture
        • TV and Film
        • Celebrity News
        • Books
        • Royal News
  • Vouchers Vouchers
      • Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Mint Velvet
        • Karen Millen
        • H&M
        • nobody's child
        • ASOS
        • ARKET
        • MANGO
      • Designer Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Reiss
        • THE OUTNET
        • SSENSE
        • Mytheresa
        • Liberty London
        • Selfridges
        • Farfetch
      • Accessories
        • View all Vouchers
        • AllSaints
        • Aspinal of London
        • Charles & Keith
        • River Island
        • FitFlop
        • Kate Spade
        • Vagabond
      • Jewellery
        • View all Vouchers
        • Pandora
        • Abbott Lyon
        • Goldsmiths
        • Beaverbrooks
        • Astrid & Miyu
        • Swarovski
        • Angara Jewellery
      • Beauty
        • View all Vouchers
        • Sephora
        • Cult Beauty
        • Space NK
        • Dyson
        • Clarins
        • Look Fantastic
        • Clinique
      • Activewear
        • View all Vouchers
        • Lululemon
        • Gymshark
        • Sweaty Betty
        • Nike
        • adidas
        • New Balance
        • Helly Hansen
  • NEWSLETTER Signup to our newsletter
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Women in Sport 2026
    • Marie Claire Masters
    • Spring Summer 2026
    • Nail Trends 2026
    • Best Investment Bags
    • Best Perfumes
    • Digital Issues
    • Women Who Win
    1. Celebrity News

    These are the most popular names for the royal baby

    What do you think?

    By Marie Claire
    Published 15 October 2018 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    What do you think?

    Words by Jadie Troy-Pryde

    In case you missed it, Meghan Markle is pregnant - and the world is beyond excited for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Queen is reportedly 'delighted' by the lovely news, and Meghan's mum, Doria Ragland, is said to be 'very happy' and 'looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild'.

    As the couple prepare for the arrival of their little one, there's one question on everyone's mind: what will Harry and Meghan name their first child?

    We already know about the Meghan Markle pregnancy rules, and that the baby's gender will be a closely guarded secret, but bookies and experts are already sharing their thoughts on the most likely moniker.

    You may like
    • The Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Isles of Mull and Iona Royal Experts Predict a Major Milestone From Princess Kate This Autumn
    • Meghan Markle in 'With Love, Meghan' Meghan Markle’s Sweet Glimpse Into Sussex Family Life Is Going Viral
    • The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Colombia Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Had a Secret UK Home in the First Year of Their Marriage

    Former royal butler Grant Harrold believes that if Harry and Meghan welcome a baby girl, her name could be inspired by Harry's late mother, Diana.

    He told the Standard: 'As far as royal names go – for a boy we may have a Charles or Philip, or for a girl Diana to honour the baby's grandmother, or perhaps Elizabeth.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    royal baby names

    Credit: REX
    (Image credit: Shutterstock/Rex)

    'Then again, they may decide to go with a name that has close connections for the Duchess.

    'Royal names tend to have a few middle names so I am sure they will pick names fitting for a royal baby.'

    Royal expert Victoria Howard believes that Meghan could be the driving force behind a more unusual moniker.

    What to read next
    • Lily Russo-Bah What Lily Loves: The Holiday Sandals I'm Packing, the Cult Label You Need to Know Plus This Week's Most Expensive-Looking H&M Buys
    • Andy Burnham and Marie-France van Heel entering 10 Downing Street “Are We Just Jealous?” Victoria Moss Unpacks the Sexist, Ageist Commentary Around Marie-France van Heel’s Victoria Beckham Dress
    • Some of the best female athletes in the world right now, plus the ones to watch, featuring Dina Asher Smith, Faith Kipyegon, Keely Hodgkinson, Serena Williams and Simone Biles 50 Influential Female Athletes To Know, Watch, and Follow—in 2026 and Beyond

    She said: 'Meghan is American and from a different background to Harry, and of course both parents will want to influence the name.

    'They might want to honour some of her family or ancestors and seeing as the baby will be a distance from the throne, they could go a bit left-field like Princess Anne did with Zara.'

    But what other names are in the running for the next royal baby?

    According to online bookies Betfair, there are some strong contenders. At the moment, their odds are as follows:

    Royal baby names - girls

    Diana - 12/1

    Alice - 12/1

    Elizabeth - 16/1

    Victoria - 20/1

    Grace - 30/1

    Mary - 33/1

    Olivia - 33/1

    Royal baby names - boys

    Arthur - 12/1

    Edward - 16/1

    James - 18/1

    Henry - 25/1

    Oliver - 25/1

    Thomas - 25/1

    Albert - 30/1

    Alexander - 33/1

    Katie Baylis, a Betfair spokesperson, said: 'Meghan’s loose coat at Princess Eugenie’s wedding on Friday led to speculation that an announcement was imminent and now that we have it, the Royal Baby name game starts.

    'At this stage Diana, Arthur and Alice, which was favourite at different stages for Kate and William’s babies, are the 12/1 front runners.

    'However, with months until the baby is born, those odds will shorten, change and other names will come to the forefront, so watch this space.'

    According to private bookmakers Fitzdares, the odds differ slightly and names in the running include Philip, Nicholas, Isabella, Eleanor and Augusta.

    Cute.

    Marie Claire
    Social Links Navigation

    The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.

    Read more
    The Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Isles of Mull and Iona
    Royal News Royal Experts Predict a Major Milestone From Princess Kate This Autumn
    Meghan Markle in 'With Love, Meghan'
    Celebrity News Meghan Markle’s Sweet Glimpse Into Sussex Family Life Is Going Viral
     
     
    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Colombia
    Royal News Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Had a Secret UK Home in the First Year of Their Marriage
    Lily Russo-Bah
    Fashion What Lily Loves: The Holiday Sandals I'm Packing, the Cult Label You Need to Know Plus This Week's Most Expensive-Looking H&M Buys
     
     
    Latest in Celebrity News
    Olivia Rodrigo performing on stage in a babydoll dress that sparked online debate, later prompting the singer to speak out about the sexualisation of girlhood and double standards facing young women.
    Celebrity News “We Really Normalise Pedophilia in Our Culture”: What Olivia Rodrigo's Babydoll Dress Backlash Reveals About Girlhood
    Meghan Markle in 'With Love, Meghan'
    Celebrity News Meghan Markle’s Sweet Glimpse Into Sussex Family Life Is Going Viral
     
     
    Anne Hathaway attends the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2
    Celebrity News Anne Hathaway Has Spoken Out About Her 10-Year Health Battle
    The Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Isles of Mull and Iona
    Royal News Royal Experts Predict a Major Milestone From Princess Kate This Autumn
     
     
    Latest in News
    Kinda Chic Trend
    Shopping Is "Kinda Chic" Kinda Cringe? Everyone's Favourite Fashion Word Just Went Completely Out of Fashion
    Beauty Digest
    Beauty The Beauty Digest: The Foundation Using Exosome Technology, the Treatment That Transformed My Skin Texture—Plus, the Ever-Earlier Advent Calendar Race
     
     
    Kaia Gerber
    Shopping Everything Kaia Gerber Wears Is a Masterclass in Minimalism—These Are the Pieces and Brands She Always Goes Back to
    Copenhagen Fashion Week street style
    Shopping Kitten-Heel Sandals, Lace Dresses and the Season's New Favourite Shade of Blue— These are the Copenhagen Fashion Week Street Style Trends to Note
     
     
    logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Site Archive
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Terms and conditions
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • About us
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.