Most popular royal baby names for boys – and one of William and Kate’s kids takes the top spot

With roots in Welsh culture, linked to the word for ‘bear’, representing bravery and strength, this lovely name is a chosen middle name for both Prince William and his youngest son Prince Louis.

This moniker, first popularised in the 1800s by Scottish poet James Macpherson, became associated with Scandinavia after Napoleon, a fan of Macpherson, gave the name to his godson, who became King Oscar I of Sweden. It’s now the given name of Prince Oscar, grandson of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

You can’t get much more of a British royal name than Henry – we’ve had eight kings with one name! The name is derived from the Germanic ‘Heinrich’, a combination of two meanings: ‘hein’ meaning home or house, and ‘rich’ meaning ‘ruler’ or ‘king. Translated literally as ‘ruler of the home’ or ‘king of the house’, it makes sense why this has been a traditional favourite among English royal families dating back to the 1100s. It’s also the given name of Prince Harry.

A wonderful name with both Greek and Germanic roots, that is the middle name of Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie‘s son James, a charming nod to the Duchess’ grandfather, who bore the same name.

Most closely associated with the eldest child of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the couple states that they took inspiration for the name from the Ancient Greek word ‘arche’, meaning ‘strength’ and ‘wisdom’.

A name that hasn’t been given to a royal baby for quite some time, Thomas has been a popular one throughout Europe, and especially in Britain, since the 13th century. More recently, it was borne by the late husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, Thomas Kingston.

Beginning as a Middle English form for the name ‘Henry’, Harry is a timeless name, both as a nickname and as a wonderful title in its own right. Prince Harry, the son of King Charles and the late Lady Diana Spencer, is the most recent bearer of the traditional name.

This name has both Greek and Roman roots: it is originally derived from the Greek name ‘Loukas’ and the current spelling is the Latin adaptation, meaning ‘bringer of light’. It is also the given name of Zara and Mike Tindall‘s youngest child, who is also the great-grandson of Princess Anne.

Another quintessentially royal name, with four British monarchs going by ‘William’ dating back to William the Conqueror, the name has most recently belonged to Prince William, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II. It has Germanic roots, originating from ‘Wilhelm’, meaning ‘resolute protector’ or ‘strong-willed warrior’.