Naming Customs of British Royalty, Favourite Name, Regnal Name and Numeration

[Somebody]

Naming customs in the British Royal Family

To get a better idea of the names within the British family I decided to do a somewhat comparable exercise as the one I did for the Belgian royal family. Starting with George V (going back to Victoria or Edward VII would add too many names including those of foreign royal families).

Generation I
George Frederick Ernest Albert

Generation II
1. Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David (1)
2. Albert Frederick Arthur George (Bertie) (1)
3. Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary (1)
4. Henry William Frederick Albert (1)
5. George Edward Alexander Edmund (1)
6. John Charles Francis (1)

Generation III
2.1. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (1)
2.2. Margaret Rose (1)

3.1. George Henry Hubert (2)
3.2. Gerald David (2)

4.1. William Henry Andrew Frederick (2)
4.2. Richard Alexander Walter George (2)

5.1. Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick (2)
5.2. Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel (2)
5.3. Michael George Charles Franklin (2)

Generation IV
2.1.1. Charles Philip Arthur George (1)
2.1.2. Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise (1)
2.1.3. Andrew Albert Christian Edward (1)
2.1.4. Edward Antony Richard Louis (1)

2.2.1. David Albert Charles (2)
2.2.2. Sarah Frances Elizabeth (2)

3.1.1. David Henry George (3)
3.1.2. James Edward (3)
3.1.3. Robert Jeremy Hugh (3)
3.1.4. Mark Hubert (3)

3.2.1. Henry Ulick (3)
3.2.2. Martin David (3)

4.2.1. Alexander Patrick Gregers Richard (3)
4.2.2. Davina Elizabeth Alice Benedikte (3)
4.2.3. Rose Victoria Birgitte Louise (3)

5.1.1. George Philip Nicholas (3)
5.1.2. Helen Marina Lucy (3)
5.1.3. Nicholas Charles Edward Jonathan (3)

5.2.1. James Robert Bruce (3)
5.2.2. Marina Victoria Alexandra (3)

5.3.1. Frederick Michael George David Louis (3)
5.3.2. Gabriella Marina Alexandra Ophelia (3)

Generation V
2.1.1.1. William Arthur Philip Louis (1)
2.1.1.2. Henry Charles Albert David (Harry) (1)

2.1.2.1. Peter Mark Andrew (2)
2.1.2.2. Zara Anne Elizabeth (2)

2.1.3.1. Beatrice Elizabeth Mary (2)
2.1.3.2. Eugenie Victoria Helena (2)

2.1.4.1. Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary (2)
2.1.4.2. James Alexander Philip Theo (2)

2.2.1.1. Charles Patrick Inigo (3)
2.2.1.2. Margarita Elizabeth Rose Alleyne (3)

2.2.2.1. Samuel David Benedict (3)
2.2.2.2. Arthur Robert Nathaniel (3)

3.1.1.1. Emily Tsering (4)
3.1.1.2. Benjamin George (4)
3.1.1.3. Alexander Edgar (4)
3.1.1.4. Edward David (4)

3.1.2.1. Sophie Amber (4)
3.1.2.2. Rowan Nash (4)
3.1.2.3. Tanit (4)
3.1.2.4. Tewa Ziyane Robert George (4)

3.1.3.1. Thomas Robert (4)
3.1.3.2. Ellen Mary (4)
3.1.3.3. Amy Rose (4)
3.1.3.4. Tallulah Grace (4)

3.1.4.1. Charlotte Patricia (4)
3.1.4.2. Imogen Mary (4)
3.1.4.3. Miranda Rose (4)

3.2.1.1. Maximilian John Gerald (4)

3.2.2.1. Alexander Joshua (4)
3.2.2.2. Georgina Elizabeth (4)

4.2.1.1. Xan Richard Anders (4)
4.2.1.2. Cosima Rose Alexandra (4)

4.2.2.1. Senna Kowhai (4)
4.2.2.2. Tane Mahuta (4)

4.2.3.1. Lyla Beatrix Christabel (4)
4.2.3.2. Rufus Frederick Montagu (4)

5.1.1.1. Edward Edmund Maximilian George (4)
5.1.1.2. Marina Charlotte Alexandra Katharine (4)
5.1.1.3. Amelia Sophia Theodora Mary Margaret (4)

5.1.2.1. Columbus George Donald (4)
5.1.2.2. Cassius Edward (4)
5.1.2.3. Eloise Olivia Katherine (4)
5.1.2.4. Estella Olga Elizabeth (4)

5.1.3.1. Albert Louis Philip Edward
5.1.3.2. Leopold Ernest Augustus Guelph
5.1.3.3. Louis Arthur Nicholas Felix

5.2.1.1. Flora Alexandra (4)
5.2.1.2. Alexander Charles (4)

5.2.2.1. Zenouska May (4)
5.2.2.2. Christian Alexander (4)

5.3.1.1. Maud Elizabeth Daphne Marina (4)
5.3.1.2. Isabella Alexandra May (4)

Generation VI
2.1.1.1.1. George Alexander Louis (1)
2.1.1.1.2. Charlotte Elizabeth Diana (1)
2.1.1.1.3. Louis Arthur Charles (1)

2.1.1.2.1. Archie Harrison (2)

2.1.2.1.1. Savannah Anne Kathleen (3)
2.1.2.1.2. Isla Elizabeth (3)

2.1.2.2.1. Mia Grace (3)
2.1.2.2.2. Lena Elizabeth (3)

3.1.1.1.1. Isaac (5)
3.1.1.1.2. Ida (5)
3.1.1.1.3. Otis (5)

3.1.1.2.1. Mateo (5)

3.1.1.3.1. Leo Cyrus Anthony (5)
3.1.1.3.2. Ivy (5)

3.1.2.1.1. Lilianda (5)

3.1.2.4.1. son (5)

3.1.3.1.1. Cleo (5)

3.1.3.2.1. Jack Marley (5)
3.1.3.2.2. Penny Moon (5)

3.1.3.3.1. Marlow Fox (5)


Looking into the more popular names (5 times or more; or otherwise important names (previous/future monarchs)):
George/Georgina (18): 6x first name, 12x middle name
Alexander/Alexandra (18): 5x first, 13x middle name
Elizabeth (15): 1x first name, 14x middle name
Charles/Charlotte (12): 4x first name, 8x middle name
Edward (11): 5x first name, 6x middle name
Louis/Louise/Lucy (11): 3x first name, 8x middle name
David/Davina (10): 4x first name (includes the king formally it was the last of his middle names), 6x middle name
Mary/May (9): 1x first name (non-official but in practice), 8x middle name
Albert (7): 2x first name, 5x middle name
Henry (6): 3x first name (incl Harry), 3x middle name
Arthur (6): 1x first name, 5x middle name
Rose (6): 1x first name, 5x middle name
Frederick (6): 1x first name, 5x middle name
Marina (5): 2x first name, 3x middle name
Christian/Christabel (5): 1x first name, 4x middle name
Philip (5): 5x middle name
Patrick/Patricia (5): 5x middle name
Robert (5): 5x middle name
William (3): 2x first name, 1x middle name
Victoria (3): 1x first name (official, in practice Mary was used), 2x middle name

In addition, there are several names that are included 4 times, such as: Alice, Andrew, Nicholas, Richard.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Also see the related threads:

Naming Customs of British Royalty, Regnal Name and Numeration

Favourite British Royal Name?

 

[Prinsara]

Oh, I like the colored charts.

It's surprising how often David pops up, considering the Abdication and all...

 

[Somebody]

Also see the related threads:

Naming Customs of British Royalty, Regnal Name and Numeration

Favourite British Royal Name?

Thanks. I looked for it but came across the titles thread and that one seemed less appropriate.

Mods, would you please merge this thread with the first one mentioned above?

N.B. Number behind names in post above indicates how many generations they are away from the throne (1 = child of monarch (or future monarch), 2 = grandchild, 3= great-grandchild etc.); as we may expect that those that are more generations removed from the throne are less likely to pick a traditional royal name (with in some cases the (partly) female line being less traditional than the all male-line).

[my post was getting too long; couldn't add it in there]

 

[Blog Real]

Why in the 20th century did British monarchs alternate names between George and Edward (Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII and George VI)?
But King George VI was called Albert but when he became King he changed his name to George.

It reminds us of Denmark where monarchs always use the names Frederik and Christian.

But Queen Elizabeth II broke tradition and named her son Charles. I never understood why they chose that name.

Will Charles change his name when he becomes King?

 

[Somebody]

Why in the 20th century did British monarchs alternate names between George and Edward (Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII and George VI)?
But King George VI was called Albert but when he became King he changed his name to George.

It reminds us of Denmark where monarchs always use the names Frederik and Christian.

But Queen Elizabeth II broke tradition and named her son Charles. I never understood why they chose that name.

Will Charles change his name when he becomes King?

Did Elizabeth break tradition, though?

Her uncle was known as David (not Edward - although Edward was indeed his first name)
Her father (who wasn't expected to be king) was Albert (but had George as his final name, so could pick that one when he became king)
Her son is known as Charles (but if he would really want to could easily switch to George as his regnal name as that is his final name, just like his grandfather; I personally don't think he will as I think the idea of changing your name seems to get out of fashion but who knows)

 

[Queen Claude]

It's not deliberate like it is in Denmark.

Edward VII was born Albert Edward and chose the regnal name Edward as opposed to Albert or Albert Edward.

George V was a second son, he inherited the throne because his older brother Albert Victor died.

Edward VIII was born during Queen Victoria's reign, his grandfather Edward VII had not yet acceded, and at the time of Edward VIII's birth, it was not expected that that the then Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, would choose Edward as his regnal name.

My understanding is that Prince Albert / The Duke of York chose George as his regnal name for continuity purposes in the wake of his brother's abdication.

If Queen Victoria had her way, they would have all been King Albert or King Albert-X.

 

[Prinsara]

Confusingly, Edward VIII was named for his late uncle, who had always been known as "Eddy". As Victoria pointed out in an annoyed fashion, Eddy's actual name was Prince Albert Victor (Christian Edward). And then the young prince spent the rest of his life as "David".

Elizabeth and Philip had it deliberately put about that they named their children (at least, Charles and Anne) things that weren't 'common in the family'.

 

[Mbruno]

Why in the 20th century did British monarchs alternate names between George and Edward (Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII and George VI)?
But King George VI was called Albert but when he became King he changed his name to George.

It reminds us of Denmark where monarchs always use the names Frederik and Christian.

But Queen Elizabeth II broke tradition and named her son Charles. I never understood why they chose that name.

Will Charles change his name when he becomes King?

George is actually one of Charles' given names (Charles Philip Arthur George), so he might as well reign under the regnal name of George VII.

I think Wlliam was the one whose name really broke the recent tradition as I do not expect him to take any regnal name other than Willam V.

Personally, I wish Henry was used again for heirs. It was a fairly common regnal name in England up to the 16th century (there were actually 8 Kings Henry, on par with Edward), but, since then, the name has gone dormant as a regnal name. George, which I personally dislike (very subjective perception) seems to be a regnal name that is very much associated with the House of Hanover and its maternal line offspring, the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha/ Windsor.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

When William, Duke of Clarence became King he wanted his regnal name to be Henry IX. His full name was William Henry.

 

[Alison H]

As Queen Claude said, it wasn't deliberate. Queen Victoria would have wanted her son to be King Albert I, but he chose to use a traditional English kingly name, and Edward was his second name as it was his grandfather's name. And George VI chose to use the same name as his father to give some sense of continuity after the upheaval of the Abdication.


Fashions for names come and go, and both George and Edward were becoming a bit old-fashioned by the 1940s. OK, the Royals don't necessarily follow fashion, but still. I always think that Charles was quite an odd choice of name, though, given its association with the Jacobites ... but, after 200 years, maybe they thought that didn't matter any more.


I can't imagine that he'll be George VII. Edward VII was always known as "Good old Teddy" to the public, even though he was Bertie to his family, but everyone's known Charles as Charles for nearly 3/4 of a century: it'd be strange to start calling him something else at this late stage!

 

[CyrilVladisla]

I like the fact that Princess Alexandra of Kent and Angus Ogilvy named their son James Robert Bruce. James was the name of several Kings of Scotland. Also Robert Bruce reminds me of King Robert I of Scots who was known as Robert the Bruce.

 

[CyrilVladisla]

Hi,

It would be nice if the British Royal Family used some older names that have gone unused for centuries:

Charlotte and Constance and Eleanor and Joanne and Philippa

Alexander and Geoffrey and Patrick and Richard and Robert

I was happy when The Queen named Charles and Andrew;
and when Andrew & Sarah used Beatrice;
and when Edward & Sophie used Louise and James...


If I had my druthers, I'd like to see William's & Catherine's children called;
Geoffrey

and
Charlotte


Larry

Charlotte has been used as the first name of the daughter of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
Robert has been used as one of the middle names of James Ogilvy: James Robert Bruce.

 

[Biri]

I can't imagine that he'll be George VII.

And I perfectly imagine Prince George of Wales to use the name George VII when he becomes King - and not Alexander I or Louis I which names were never used for English kings.

Alexander is associated with Russia and Louis with France

 

[CyrilVladisla]

I just noticed that King Edward VIII had the names of all four saints in his name (George - England; Andrew - Scotland; David - Wales and Patrick - Ireland). I also noticed that all four of Prince Andrew, Duke of York's names are in Edward's! (Andrew Albert Christian Edward)

Prince Andrew's last two names of Christian Edward were also the last two names of Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence: Albert Victor Christian Edward.

 

[Prinsara]

I always think that Charles was quite an odd choice of name, though, given its association with the Jacobites ... but, after 200 years, maybe they thought that didn't matter any more.

According to the Norwegians, he was named after George VI's much-loved and admired uncle King Haakon. https://www.theroyalforums.com/foru...ents-life-in-pictures-4470-5.html#post2502101

Who was amusingly never officially Charles, just kind of renamed from Carl by his future wife, and picked up by all his English relatives. It does seem to be what he preferred.