Princess Beatrice caused division last week when HELLO! readers debated whether they would have preferred her to be called Annabel.
While nearly half (45%) chose Beatrice, most picked Annabel – the name the royal was almost given. Sorry, Beatrice, but I have to agree with the majority on this one.
The meaning of the name Annabel is ''lovable", which is so cute. But for the Beatrice voters out there, the name also carries a lovely connotation as the moniker means ''bringer of joy''.
© GettyNot to blame Queen Elizabeth II, but she may have swayed the final decision on this one. The late Queen allegedly thought the name Annabel was "too yuppie" and reportedly suggested the name Beatrice to the Duke and Duchess during the royal family’s annual summer break at Balmoral.
For anyone unfamiliar with the term "yuppie," it was a phrase mainly used in the 1980s to refer to a young urban professional. Understandably, names are a huge part of a royal's public image, so perhaps choosing a less urban-sounding name was the best bet.
Due to having a slightly less traditional name of my own (Iona), I’m naturally swayed towards the most unique option.
While the monarch isn't required to approve the family's baby names, the late Queen would often be informed of the choice. I can't help but wonder what her opinion of my name would have been. I imagine she would have approved, given the royal family’s Scottish ties (one hopes). It’s also not uncommon for parents to have various baby name options – mine nearly called me Emily.
The poll results and recently revealed royal baby names got me thinking about how the monarchy is modernising – and that we may see a shift towards more contemporary names in the future…
Balance of Traditional and Modern
While many regal names remain in circulation, there now tends to be a balance between honouring family history and embracing something more contemporary.
The Prince and Princess of Wales gave Prince Louis the middle names Arthur Charles, which balance out his more modern first name. As a whole, the name still sounds quite royal, but I do like the double-barreled middle name to even it out.
© GettyPrince Harry and Meghan Markle named their son Archie Harrison – his first name being a more casual, nickname-style version of Archibald. I adore this name and think it holds so much character – perfect for a younger boy growing up in the modern era.
© Getty Images
© Getty Images1. Queen Elizabeth II's first pregnancy
The late Queen's pregnancies were never formally announced. Instead, Buckingham Palace released a statement alluding to then Princess Elizabeth's first pregnancy with Charles, which read: "Her Royal Highness the Princess Elizabeth will undertake no public engagements after the end of June." Charles was born on 14 November 1948, a year into his parents' marriage.
2. Princess Diana's first pregnancy
In November 1981, Princess Diana announced she was expecting her first child with Charles, who was then Prince of Wales. The palace shared a much more personal statement, saying the couple were "delighted by the news," just a few months after their wedding. Prince William, a future King, arrived on 21 June 1982.
3. Sarah, Duchess of York pregnancies
The line of succession grew as Sarah, Duchess of York and her then-husband, Prince Andrew, announced in January 1988 they were "very pleased" to be expecting their first baby. Their eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, was born on 8 August 1988, and second daughter, Princess Eugenie, arrived on 23 March 1990.
4. The Princess of Wales's first pregnancy
Kensington Palace were forced to announce Princess Kate's pregnancy earlier than planned, after the then Duchess of Cambridge was hospitalised with hyperemesis gravidarum (a severe form of pregnancy sickness). She was discharged from King Edward VII after a three-day stay.
5. The Duchess of Sussex's first pregnancy
In October 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were expecting their first child after arriving in Sydney, Australia for their first overseas royal tour since their marriage a few months prior.
Greek Influences
A few royals have opted for names with Greek origins. I think these names sound gorgeous.
Most recently, the Duke and Duchess of Westminster named their first daughter Cosima – a name derived from the Greek word kosmos, meaning order, harmony, or the universe.
© Getty ImagesThis name is absolutely on my future baby name list because it sounds so stylish.
Back in January 2025, Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, named their daughter Athena – a reference to the Ancient Greek goddess of war and wisdom.
© InstagramShe’s not the only Athena around. Countess Athena is the youngest child of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark.
© ShutterstockUltimately, I think Greek-influenced names still sound fashionable without being too regal.
Personal References
Another recent trend in royal baby names is the inclusion of personal or sentimental meanings rather than choosing names solely for their royal legacy.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s eldest daughter is named Sienna – a nod to his Italian heritage. The name draws its roots from the Italian city of Siena and is also a colour pigment, generally a yellow-brown. Again, an unusual connotation for a royal name, but a lovely choice.
© GettyPrince Harry and Meghan Markle named their daughter Lilibet, derived from a childhood nickname used by the Duke’s late grandmother, the Queen. This was another unexpected and heartfelt personal touch. I’m not as much of a fan of the name, but I do think the sentiment behind it is really special.
© Instagram / @meghan
