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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Julia Banim

Special meanings behind Royal Family's first names– from Charles to Lilibet

When it comes to choosing the perfect baby name, many parents-to-be will find themselves looking to the British Royal Family for inspiration, enjoying the strong sense of history that such names represent.

With many parents set to welcome their little ones this coronation weekend, it's likely there will be a few baby Charles and Charlottes set to enter the world.

There are of course plenty of beautiful names to pick from the Royal Family tree, many of which hold very special, and often quite fitting, meanings. If you're looking to crown your baby a regal moniker, then read on to find out which meaning would best suit them.

The name Charles has long been associated with kings and rulers (Getty Images)
Charlotte is a feminine version of Charles (The Princess of Wales via Getty)

Personalised online gift shop Studio has now shared the origins behind 10 Royal Family members' names, and there are some very powerful meanings to consider.

1. Charles

The name Charles has long been associated with royals, dating right back Charlemagne, otherwise known as 'Charles the Great', who reigned as King of the Franks back in the 8th century.

Charles is a name with Germanic origins, which means 'free man' - the perfect name to consider if you want to instil values of free thinking and independence in your son.

2. William

Another name with Germanic origins, William also has centuries-long associations with the Royal Family. When Prince William eventually takes the throne, he could become King William V, unless he chooses a different name for himself as a number of his ancestors have done.

The name William means 'resolute protector', and is said to symbolise the qualities of will, desire, and protection.

3. Charlotte

The name Charlotte, a feminine version of Charles, became popular in the 18th century, after King George III gave it to his own baby daughter.

Like Charles, Charlotte also means 'free', and also holds literary associations, thanks to 19th century novelist Charlotte Brontë.

The name Archie has become popular in recent years (Getty Images)
Lilibet was named after her late great grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II (Netflix)

4. George

The name of Prince William's eldest son, George has long been a popular choice among royals, and stems from the Greek word georgos, which means 'farmer' or 'earth worker'.

5. Archie

A shortened version of Archibald, Archie has become popular in its own right in recent years, and is also the name of Prince Harry's eldest child.

This sweet name also means 'genuine', 'bold', and 'brave', qualities any new parent would no doubt want their little one to possess.

6. Lilibet

Princess Lilibet, the youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, was given this name as an affectionate tribute to her late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was nicknamed Lilibet by close family members.

A name with Hebrew origins, Lilibet means 'God's promise', and could be a beautiful choice for those who follow a religious faith.

7. Edward

Edward has long held connotations with the knights of the medieval era, and was the name of early rulers Edward the Confessor and Edward the Martyr.

The original name stems from the Old English words 'ead' and 'ward', which translate as 'fortune' and 'guard'.

Beatrice could be a great choice for an adventurous spirit (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for)
The name Eugenie has a fittingly regal meaning (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

8. Anne

An anglicised version of the French Anna, which translates to 'grace', Anne is also often derived from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'favour'. A fittingly graceful name for the hardest-working royal, Princess Anne.

9. Beatrice

A name with Latin origins, Beatrice means 'blessed voyager', and could be a great choice for those with adventurous spirits and a passion for travel.

10. Eugenie

A Greek girl's name which means 'well-born' and 'noble', this is, of course, the name of King Charles' niece, Princess Eugenie. The princess was named in honour of the former Queen of Spain, Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg.

Do you have a baby name story to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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