Meghan Markle is celebrating her 44th birthday on Monday, a day likely to be filled with joy and gratitude. Birthdays often serve as a time of reflection, allowing one to look back on past years and youthful days.
For Meghan, this day will probably stir up cherished memories from her childhood, a time when the Duchess of Sussex was known by a different name. That’s because she wasn’t originally named Meghan at birth.
Her parents chose to name her Rachel Meghan Markle.
While she may have been called Rachel during her early years, she has always been recognized as Meghan Markle in her public life.
The duchess has never publicly discussed why she goes by Meghan instead of Rachel, but it’s speculated that she might have chosen Meghan for its alliterative appeal, making it more memorable.
Like Meghan, Harry also wasn’t given the name he uses now at birth, a fact that Royal enthusiasts may have overlooked.
In reality, the prince was christened Henry Charles Albert David at birth, but has always been known as Harry, a casual nickname derived from Henry.
Meghan is thought to have never referred to her husband as Henry, instead frequently calling him “H”.