The leading names for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's new son
Hours after announcing that Meghan Markle had gone into labor, Kensington Palace confirmed that the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry are now parents to a healthy baby boy.
“Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well,” the statement reads, adding that the Queen is “delighted” with the news.
Now that the new royal baby is here, the next pressing question is, what will Meghan and Harry name him?
Reactions immediately began to pour in on Twitter, with many starting to offer ideas for what the new parents could call their son — who is seventh in line for the throne.”I hope Meghan and Harry name the baby ‘suits,’” wrote one writer on Twitter. “Actually Meghan needs to name that baby Hakeem,” added another.
i hope meghan and harry name the baby "suits"
— Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) May 6, 2019
It's a boy! How about the name Tom, after Meghan's father? (unlikely I know, but worth a pop).
— Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) May 6, 2019
Actually, Meghan needs to name that baby Hakeem.
— Auntieana (@thejournalista) May 6, 2019
Prince Harry, in speaking to the press, said they’ve yet to decide what they will call their new son. “The baby’s a little bit overdue so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it, that’s the next bit,” Prince Harry said, according to CNN. “For us we’ll be seeing you guys in probably two days time as planned," Harry added.
As the world patiently awaits the official name, here are five predictions making the rounds — through various polls — on on the internet.
Albert
The Telegraph, pulling from UK sports betting platform Ladbrokes, lists the top predicted name for the Royal Baby as Albert. It’s no surprise, given that Albert is the most popular boy name among males in the Royal family, According to the Independent, there have been 12 royal babies named Albert since 1819, including Queen Elizabeth II’s great-great grandfather. The name is of English origin and means “noble” and “bright.”
Arthur
On the UK betting platform Coral, the top predicted name is Arthur, with five to one odds. A name with a rich history in the Royal family, Arthur is both Prince William’s middle name, as well as that of his second son, Prince Louis. The name dates back to King Arthur from the 5th century, and has been used as a middle name for many, including Queen Elizabeth II’s father.
Philip
Second on Coral’s prediction (and fifth on Ladbrokes) is Philip, the name of Prince William and Harry’s grandfather. The Telegraph calls the name a “rogue contender,” noting that only two royals have held the name — James VII's brother-in-law Prince Philippe I and Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s longtime husband. The name is reportedly of Greek origin and means “lover of horses.”
James
Relatively high on most polls, and one that’s the subject of online speculation, is James — a Scottish name dating back to the 15th century. Fans apparently became suspicious of James being a contender last week after learning that typing “Royal.uk/Prince-James” (as well as “Royal.uk/Prince-Alexander”) leads back to the Palace’s main page, unlike other names which appear with an error. The name is both a nod to centuries of royals with the name, as well as its modern-day ubiquity, classified as the 21st most popular boys name overall in the UK in 2017.
The wildcard on the list of potential names is Spencer, a Royal name dating back hundreds of years, as well as the last name of the late Princess Diana. According to PureWow, Princess Diana called Prince Harry “my little Spencer,” a nod to the fact that his red hair may have come from her side of the family.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Royal baby watch: Will Meghan Markle have a doula or a midwife? Experts explain the difference
Did Meghan Markle already give birth? Prince Harry's new announcement may be a clue
Did The Royal Family Website Just Reveal A Major Baby Name Hint?
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