Victorian Royal Baby Names

Alice

• Origin:

  German

• Meaning:

  "noble"

• Description:

  Alice was derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis. Adalhaidis, from which the name Adelaide is also derived, is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type." Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland popularized the name in modern times.

Charlotte

• Origin:

  French, feminine diminutive of Charles

• Meaning:

  "free man"

• Description:

  Charlotte is the feminine form of the male given name Charles. It derived from Charlot, a French diminutive of Charles meaning "little Charles," and the name of Charlemagne’s son in French literature and legend. The name was popularized by England's Queen Charlotte Sophia, wife of King George III.

Adelaide

• Origin:

  Variant of Adelheidis, German

• Meaning:

  "noble, nobility"

• Description:

  Adelaide is now heading straight uphill on the coattails of such newly popular sisters as Ava, Ada, and Audrey, and in the company of Adeline and Amelia. It was chosen by actress Katherine Heigl for the name of her second daughter.

Henry

• Origin:

  German

• Meaning:

  "estate ruler"

• Description:

  Henry was derived from the French Henri, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Heimrich, made up of the components heim, meaning "home" or "estate," and rich, meaning "ruler." The most famous wearer is Henry VIII of England, best known for having six wives—two of whom he beheaded for not bearing him sons. It’s been used in the British royal family many times since.

Beatrice

• Origin:

  Latin

• Meaning:

  "she who brings happiness; blessed"

• Description:

  Beatrice is derived from Beatrix, a Latin name meaning "she who brings happiness." In the earliest sources it is also recorded as Viatrix, meaning "voyager", so there is some weight in both meanings.

Arthur

• Origin:

  Celtic

• Meaning:

  " bear"

• Description:

  Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by some stylish parents, emerging as a top contender among names for the new royal prince.

Daisy

• Origin:

  Diminutive of Margaret or flower name, from English

• Meaning:

  "day's eye"

• Description:

  Daisy, fresh, wholesome, and energetic, is one of the flower names that burst back into bloom after a century's hibernation. Daisy is now second only to Delilah among most popular girl names starting with D. Originally a nickname for Margaret (the French Marguerite is the word for the flower), Daisy comes from the phrase "day's eye," because it opens its petals at daybreak.

Alexandra

• Origin:

  Greek, feminine form of Alexander

• Meaning:

  "defending men"

• Description:

  Alexandra is the feminine form of Alexander, which ultimately derived from the Greek components alexein, meaning "to defend," and anēr, "man." In Greek mythology, Alexandra was an epithet of the goddess Hera. International variations include Alessandra and Alejandra.

Margaret

• Origin:

  Greek

• Meaning:

  "pearl"

• Description:

  Margaret is derived from the French Marguerite, which in turn came from Margarita, the Latin form of the Greek Margarites. Margarites was based on the Old Persian word margārīta, meaning "pearl."

George

• Origin:

  Greek

• Meaning:

  "farmer"

• Description:

  Iconoclasts though we may be, we like Fred, we like Frank, and we like George, which was among the Top 10 from 1830 to 1950, when the number of little Georges started to decline. Solid, strong, royal and saintly, yet friendly and unpretentious, we think that George is in prime position for a comeback, especially since it was chosen by Britain's royal couple.

Helena

• Origin:

  Latinate form of Helen, Greek

• Meaning:

  "torch; shining light"

• Description:

  Helena is a more delicate and dainty version of Helen, a favorite of Shakespeare, who used it in both All's Well That Ends Well and A Midsummer's Night Dream. Historically, Helena was the mother of Constantine the Great (and, supposedly, the daughter of Old King Cole), who became a fourth century saint--Evelyn Waugh wrote his only historical novel, Helena, based on her story.

Caroline

• Origin:

  French, feminine variation of Charles

• Meaning:

  "free man"

• Description:

  Caroline is a perennial classic, in the Top 100 since 1994. Caroline is elegant, calling to mind the Kennedy Camelot years and Princess Caroline of Monaco.

William

• Origin:

  English from German

• Meaning:

  "resolute protection"

• Description:

  William is derived from the Germanic name Wilhelm, composed of the elements wil, "will," and helm, referring to a helmet or protection. The name was introduced to England by William the Conqueror, with William being the Norman variation of the name. In Central and Southern France, it was translated as Guillaume.

Victoria

• Origin:

  Latin

• Meaning:

  "victory"

• Description:

  Victoria is the Latin word for “victory” and a feminine form of Victor. It is the name of the ancient Roman goddess of victory, the equivalent of the Greek Nike, and also a popular third century saint. Queen Victoria, for whom the Victorian Era is named, ruled over England for over sixty-three years.

Alfred

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "wise counselor"

• Description:

  Alfred is up off his recliner! If you're looking for a path to Fred, you can go directly to Frederick or take the long way around with the so-out-it's-in-again Alfred. Alfred is quite popular in several European countries, especially England and Wales, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Mary

• Origin:

  Hebrew or Egyptian

• Meaning:

  "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

• Description:

  Mary is the English form of Maria, which ultimately was derived from the Hebrew name Maryam/Mariam. The original meaning of Maryam is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Patrick

• Origin:

  Latin

• Meaning:

  "noble, patrician"

• Description:

  Patrick, long tied to a hyper-Irish image, is enjoying something of a renaissance as a stylish classic, as it has long been considered in England. Along with such choices as Charles and George, Patrick has escaped overuse in recent decades.

Victor

• Origin:

  Latin

• Meaning:

  "conqueror"

• Description:

  Victor is one of the earliest Christian names, borne (as Vittorio) by several saints and popes, symbolizing Christ's victory over death. It has been quietly in the Top 200 since 1880, but just recently has taken on a cool edge by fashionable parents in London and seems ripe for a similar reevaluation here too.

Louise

• Origin:

  French and English, feminine variation of Louis

• Meaning:

  "renowned warrior"

• Description:

  Louise has for several decades now been seen as competent, studious, and efficient—desirable if not dramatic qualities. But now along with a raft of other L names, as well as cousin Eloise, Louise is up for reappreciation—sleek and chic, stylish in Paris, and starting to become so in the US as well. Louisa is perhaps more in tune with the times, but Louise has more edge. Louise has been on the rise lately, and reentered the US Top 1000 for the first time in a quarter century in 2016.

Charles

• Origin:

  French from German

• Meaning:

  "man, free man"

• Description:

  Charles derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning "man" or "freeman", and is a royal name in multiple European countries. A famous early bearer is Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Lombards and then Roman Emperor in the 8th-9th centuries. The word for “king” in several languages came from Charles, including Slavic, Russian, and Polish.

Edward

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "wealthy guardian"

• Description:

  Unlike perennials William, John and James, Edward is a classic that moves in and out of fashion. This royal Anglo-Saxon standard has benefited in recent years from the popularity of the hot hero of the vampire sensation Twilight -- Edward Cullen -- who has given his name a new infusion of cool.

Ernest

• Origin:

  English from German

• Meaning:

  "serious, resolute"

• Description:

  Ernest is one of those sober, so-far-out-they're-beginning-to-be-reconsidered Great Uncle names. It was a Top 40 name from 1880 to 1926, and has never been completely off the Social Security list.

Albert

• Origin:

  German

• Meaning:

  "noble, bright"

• Description:

  Albert has acquired a new gloss as one of the top royal baby boy names, a serious upgrade from its serious, studious image (think Einstein, Schweitzer). Albert remained popular for 80 years, and though it's far less fashionable today, it's still a widely used choice. Still, along with such stalwarts as Walter and George, it could now make an unusual yet classic choice. It became especially popular in Britain following the 1840 marriage of Queen Victoria to the German Prince Albert. Enlivening nickname Bertie is popular on its own in England.

Kate

• Origin:

  English, diminutive of Katherine

• Meaning:

  "pure"

• Description:

  Kate, in the headlines via Catherine Middleton, has been as pervasive as Kathy was in the 1950s and 1960s, both as a nickname for Katherine and Kaitlyn and as a strong, classic stand-alone name. Kate has an image that's independent, smart, and energetic, recalling Kate Hepburn, the heroine of The Taming of the Shrew/Kiss Me Kate, and contemporary Kates Winslet, Hudson, Moss, Spade and Beckinsale. Cate Blanchette has helped popularize that spelling of the name.

John

• Origin:

  Hebrew

• Meaning:

  "God is gracious"

• Description:

  John is an English derivative of the Hebrew name Yochanan via the Latin name Iohannes, itself coming from the Greek Ioannes. John was a key name in early Christianity, borne by John the Baptist, John the Apostle and John the Evangelist, plus 84 saints and 23 popes, as well as kings and countless other illustrious notables. Contrary to popular belief, the names John and Jonathan are unrelated, the latter being an elaboration of Nathan.

Christina

• Origin:

  Greek

• Meaning:

  "a Christian"

• Description:

  Christina, a pretty and feminine, crystal clear classic, may be trending downward, but it's never out of style. Christina's short forms Chris, Christie, and Tina all seem dated—making the royal Christina best used in its full glory.

Duncan

• Origin:

  Scottish

• Meaning:

  "dark warrior"

• Description:

  Duncan is jaunty, confident, and open, a Scottish royal name that's brimming with friendly charm and makes it into our golden circle of names that are neither too popular nor too strange. Popularity aside, Duncan is one of the most classic Scottish names for boys.

Marie

• Origin:

  French variation of Mary

• Meaning:

  "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"

• Description:

  The ubiquitous French version of Mary came into the English-speaking world in the nineteenth century. In the United States, Marie was a huge hit at the turn of the last century and for the ensuing fifty years, becoming the seventh most popular name in the country for three years, from 1901 to 1904.

Robert

• Origin:

  English from German

• Meaning:

  "bright fame"

• Description:

  Robert was derived from the ancient Germanic name Hrodebert, from the elements hrod, meaning "fame" and bertha, "bright." Robert was the name of three kings of Scotland, including Robert the Bruce, who freed Scotland from English rule. The name was brought to England by the Normans.

Leopold

• Origin:

  German

• Meaning:

  "brave people"

• Description:

  This aristocratic, somewhat formal Germanic route to the popular Leo is a royal name: Queen Victoria used it to honor a favorite uncle, King Leopold of Belgium. Though Leopold sounds as if it might be a leonine name, it's not really a relative of such choices as Leon, and Leonard.

Christian

• Origin:

  Greek

• Meaning:

  "follower of Christ"

• Description:

  Christian has fallen a bit from its 90's and 00's heights, but it's still quite popular. Once considered overly pious, Christian is now seen as making a bold statement of faith by some, while also having secular appeal for others, perhaps influenced by such celebrities as Christian Slater and Christian Bale, not to mention the fashion world's Dior, Lacroix, Louboutin and Audigier.

Stanley

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "near the stony clearing"

• Description:

  Although Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire personified brute force, most Stanleys have been portrayed as meek milquetoasts. It could be a Sydney-like girls' choice.-Bette Davis once played a character named Stanley, and it was the name of President Obama's mother (named for her father)--or possibly could be revived down the line a la Walter and Arthur.

May

• Origin:

  Diminutive of Margaret and Mary; month name

• Description:

  May is a sweet old-fashioned name that hasn't been on the national charts in several decades, but is definitely sounding fresh and springlike. Parents are beginning to see it once more as one of the prettiest middle name options. May was as high on the list as Number 57 in the 1880s; it's now 228 on Nameberry.

Norah

• Origin:

  English, Arabic

• Meaning:

  "woman of honor, light"

• Description:

  The skyrocketing success of singer Norah Jones brought this spelling of the name onto the pop charts in 2003. As well as being a spelling variant of Nora in English, it's also an alternative transcription of the Arabic name Nura, from Nur/Noor "light".

Anton

• Origin:

  German, Russian, and Scandinavian variation of Anthony

• Description:

  Cultured and cultivated in an old-style, Old World way. Sometimes associated with the classic writer Anton Chekhov. Al Pacino has a son with this name.

Augusta

• Origin:

  Feminine variation of Augustus

• Meaning:

  "great, magnificent"

• Description:

  Augusta is a dignified name reminiscent of wealthy great-aunts, but with the fashion for both August and Gus for boys, Augusta could get some fresh energy.

Maud

• Origin:

  Variation of Matilda

• Meaning:

  "battle-mighty"

• Description:

  Maud, lacy and mauve-tinted, was wildly popular a hundred years ago, but has been rarely heard in the past fifty. Some stylish parents are starting to choose Maud again, especially as a middle. Maude is another spelling.

  As a British royal name, Maud was the daughter of the youngest daughter of King Edward VII and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, who went on to become Queen of Norway. As a lively young girl, she was given the boyish nickname of Harry.

Ludwig

• Origin:

  German

• Meaning:

  "famous warrior"

• Description:

  As heavy as a marble bust of Beethoven.

Cecil

• Origin:

  Latin

• Meaning:

  "blind"

• Description:

  Once a powerful Roman clan name, Cecil has lost much of its potency over the years, though it retains a strong presence in the sports and jazz worlds. Past bearers include film giant Cecil B. DeMille, poet Cecil Day Lewis, father of Daniel, and photographer Cecil Beaton. Fictional Cecils appear in Oscar Wilde's play, Lady Windemere's Fan, E. M. Foster's A Room With a View and the film Lee Daniel's The Butler.

Alix

• Origin:

  French

• Meaning:

  "noble type"

• Description:

  A chic and sassy French choice, popular in France but likely to be confused with the more prosaic Alex in English-speaking countries. Although sometimes used in the US as a variant spelling of Alex, the French name Alix actually derives from a medieval French form of the name Alice or Adelaide.

Lord

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "loaf-keeper"

• Description:

  If it's royalty you're after, stick with Earl or Prince -- this is too deified.

Alberta

• Origin:

  English, feminine variation of Albert

• Meaning:

  "noble, bright"

• Description:

  This jazzy old name could make a comeback, the way Josephine and Ella have. In England the name was popularized by Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, after whom her governor general of Canada husband named the North American province. Jazz singer Alberta Hunter was a noted bearer.

Josepha

• Origin:

  Feminine variation of Joseph

• Meaning:

  "Jehovah increases"

• Description:

  Josepha is less heard in this country than in other parts of the world, seen as a slightly awkward feminization a la Ricarda and Benjamina. In the U.S., Josephine or Joanna is the more usual feminine form of Joseph, though you might consider Josepha if you want to break rank.

Melita

• Origin:

  Greek

• Meaning:

  "honey"

• Description:

  A coffee filter.

Franziska

Alfreda

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "elf power,"

• Description:

  With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.

Ernst

• Origin:

  German variation of Ernest

• Description:

  Concise and clipped European version of the earnest Ernest.

Viktoria

Leopoldine

• Origin:

  French feminine version of Leopold

• Meaning:

  "brave people"

• Description:

  A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.

Livingstone