Gender, names, and godparent guessing for Harry and Meghan's first child

[CyrilVladisla]

Do you think Prince Harry might go against tradition and use the name John as a middle name for a son?

[Biri]

As for the name John it came to me the following references:

Prince John Windsor - prematurely gone Prince, suffered from epilepsy (and probably also Asperger's syndrome) whose 100th death anniversary fell in January
John Spencer, 8th Earl of Spencer (baby's great-grandfather)
John Brown, the abolitionist, hanged for his ideas and commemorated in many poems, whose 160th death anniversary will fall on 2 December - Meghan's heritage as a maternal descendant of slaves.
John the Evangelist - according to the Gospel, the faithful Apostle of Jesus Christ, who stood at his cross - baby will be born around Easter.

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by Biri

As for the name John it came to me the following references:

Prince John Windsor - prematurely gone Prince, suffered from epilepsy (and probably also Asperger's syndrome) whose 100th death anniversary fell in January
John Spencer, 8th Earl of Spencer (baby's great-grandfather)
John Brown, the abolitionist, hanged for his ideas and commemorated in many poems, whose 160th death anniversary will fall on 2 December - Meghan's heritage as a maternal descendant of slaves.
John the Evangelist - according to the Gospel, the faithful Apostle of Jesus Christ, who stood at his cross - baby will be born around Easter.

There is also Alexander John, the newborn son of Edward VII and Alexandra. It is the two Johns who both died tragically young, which led to the 'cursed name' thought. Also the whole King John history.

As for the Spencers, Diana's dad was Edward John Spencer. Diana's family also has a tragic history of the name. Her parent's first son was a boy John who died hours after birth.

Would be nice to see the name come out of superstitious hold though.

[kathia_sophia]

Originally Posted by Countessmeout

Would be nice to see the name come out of superstitious hold though.

I truly hope so. It was just bad luck. John is a beautiful name with lots of history (not only bad history though).
In Portugal, John is João and it's actually my father's name and also my cousin's name. I really like the name.

[King of the Jungle]

Joao is cute. How do you pronounce it, Kathia_Sophia?

I like John and also Johanna.

[Biri]

If it's a girl qand they would like to use a female equivalent of the name John, it would be rather Jane (Harry's aunt, Queen Jane Seymour, Lady Jane Grey) than Johanna (also rather than Joan or Jean).

[Abbigail]

I don't think they will go for anything like John, Jane or Mary, as those names are all a little too plain and dated, imo. They may choose a traditional name but I think it will be one that is more modern or timeless. Something like Oliver or Grace or Alexander/Alexandra.

[kathia_sophia]

Originally Posted by King of the Jungle

Joao is cute. How do you pronounce it, Kathia_Sophia?

I like John and also Johanna.

Juaau (the A is the same as in Altitude and not Alien, and in Portugal à extends the sound).
We have Johanna here but it's written Joana (Juana when we pronounce and both A are the same as in Altitude)

[Biri]

And Oliver is associated with Oliver Cromwell

[CyrilVladisla]

For a boy John could be used as a middle name. John does not have to be used as the first name.

[lea]

Originally Posted by Abbigail

I don't think they will go for anything like John, Jane or Mary, as those names are all a little too plain and dated, imo. They may choose a traditional name but I think it will be one that is more modern or timeless. Something like Oliver or Grace or Alexander/Alexandra.

Wouldn’t that be nice, to use Grace. If she became a Princess she would be the second American Princess Grace. Well, part American.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

For a boy John could be used as a middle name. John does not have to be used as the first name.

Why would it be used at all? Its generally thought to be "bad luck" by the RF.. and as has been pointed out it is also the name of Diana's liltte brother who died.. so its not at all likel to be used

[Biri]

And do they live in XXI century or in Middle Ages?
Apart from that, according to the Bible in which they believe, believing in superstitions is a sin.

[Denville]

Originally Posted by Biri

And do they live in XXI century or in Middle Ages?
Apart from that, according to the Bible in which they believe, believing in superstitions is a sin.

not at all sure what you mean. If they don't want to use the name John or think it is unlucky, they have a perfect right to do so

[CyrilVladisla]

If they do not want to use John as John, use the Scottish equivalent of Ian.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

If they do not want to use John as John, use the Scottish equivalent of Ian.

I like that idea! Although I don't have the impression that they are overly Scotland-oriented (at least William and Catherine went to university there).

[MARG]

I had a giggle at an article that likened Harry's situation as a second son to that of Andrew who, not being obliged to adhere to tradition, named his daughters the unoyal equivalence of Apple and some other fruit.

Beatrice and Eugenie were new and radical? 🤔

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by MARG

I had a giggle at an article that likened Harry's situation as a second son to that of Andrew who, not being obliged to adhere to tradition, named his daughters the unoyal equivalence of Apple and some other fruit.

Beatrice and Eugenie were new and radical? ��

Not really. Beatrice and Eugenie were the names of a daughter and a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

[Osipi]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

If they do not want to use John as John, use the Scottish equivalent of Ian.

Or the Gaelic/Irish equivalent of Sean. Or the Spanish Juan. Or the French Jean. Or the German Johann. The possibilities are endless.

[Heavs]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Not really. Beatrice and Eugenie were the names of a daughter and a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

I think that was the point. They are Royal names and Beatrice at least isn't that uncommon for regular people.