Lilibet, Archie, Charlotte And More: The Meaning Behind These Royal Baby Names

If Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, Prince George, and August Brooksbank ring a bell, then you've likely been keeping up with the royal family! But while you might recognize the names of these royal babies, do you know the stories behind why they were given them?

Some of the inspirations might be obvious, such as how "Lilibet" has a sweet connection to Queen Elizabeth II, while others are more obscure and surprising. Click through our gallery to learn the significance of these royal baby names!

Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry welcomed their first child, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, in May 2019. Meghan then gave birth to their second, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, in June 2021.

"Archie" does not appear to have any connections to the royal family, and the exact reason for the name has not been revealed. It does mean "strong" in German though, and could have been inspired by several influential figures. His middle name "Harrison" is a direct link to Prince Harry, seeing as he is Harry's son!

As for baby Lilibet, her name pays homage to two members of the royal family! "Lilibet" is an affectionate nickname for the queen, and it also has a connection to Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. "Diana" is of course for the late Princess Diana, Harry's mother. 

The Cambridges are a family of five, as Duchess Kate and Prince William have three children together. They first welcomed Prince George in July 2013, followed by Princess Charlotte in 2015, and then Prince Louis in 2018. Kate hasn't ruled out having another child in the future either!

Prince George's full name is Prince George Alexander Louis, which has several connections to the Windsor family! "George" was the name of Queen Elizabeth II's grandfather, and  her father's regent name upon ascension. "Alexander" is the masculine version of the queen's middle name, "Alexandra," while "Louis" comes from Prince Philip's uncle! Apparently William and Kate liked the last part of that name so much they used it for their second son.

Born as Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, William and Kate's daughter's full name has much more obvious royal connections! "Charlotte" is the feminine form of "Charles," and the latter parts of her name reflect important women in the British monarchy. "Elizabeth" pays homage to the queen, while "Diana" is, of course, for the late Princess of Wales.

Prince Louis Arthur Charles was a strong choice for the name of William and Kate's third child! His two middle names both carry important weight within British royal history— "Arthur" was the name of Queen Victoria's third son, and also refers to the king of English legend. "Charles" is for none other than Prince Charles himself!

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi welcomed their first child together, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi! "Sienna" is thought to be connected to Edoardo's side of the family, and the queenly "Elizabeth" certainly seems to be a popular middle name choice. Beatrice's sister Eugenie also welcomed a royal baby last year...

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank became new parents just a few months prior to Sienna's arrival! The name of their son, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, certainly has some interesting royal relations. While uncommon, "August" was actually the middle name of Queen Victoria's husband, and "Philip" pays tribute to Prince Philip. As for "Hawke," that name comes from Jack's side of the family!

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia are another royal couple who share three children, with Prince Alexander born in April 2016, Prince Gabriel born in August 2017, and Prince Julian born in 2021. 

Prince Alexander Erik Hubertus Bertil has an interesting name, as "Alexander" was just a name the couple liked while "Erik" is the name of Sofia's father. "Hubertus" and "Bertil" both come from Carl's side of the family, taken from his father and uncle.

The "Gabriel" in Prince Gabriel Carl Walther's name was also just a name the couple favoured, while "Carl" comes from his father and "Walther" originates from the father of Queen Silvia.

Their latest arrival's first name "Julian" likely follows the same pattern of first names chosen for no apparent reason. However, "Herbert" comes from the royal's great-great grandfather, and "Folke" is a name with Swedish roots that connects to the former Red Cross President.