Steal These Baby Naming Tips from Will & Kate

Baby Naming Tips from Will & Kate

First off, let’s crack open the champagne (or sparkling cider if you’re expecting) in honor of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana! She looks absolutely gorgeous, and that name pulls at my heartstrings every time I hear it. With all the names they could have chosen—Rose was my top pick, but a lot of wages were placed on Alice, as well—I can only imagine how tricky it was to come up with the perfect combination. If you’re finding yourself in a similar rough spot (baby’s almost here! baby has no name!) take a cue from the Royals, who seem to have this naming thing on lock!

1. Choose an “inspired by” first name. Rather than going straight for Elizabeth or Diana for the first name, the royal couple chose Charlotte, a female version of Charles—William’s father’s name. Why is this such a cool baby naming move? First of all, it of course pays tribute to someone beloved in the family, but secondly, it’s not a direct copy of anyone else’s first name, which allows for your little one to carve her own path without so many comparisons of how the elder name-holder stacked up against the newest member of the family. Essentially, it’s unique as a first name in their family (and also happens to be Pippa’s middle name) and traditional at the same time. Genius.

2. Go sentimental for the second and third (why not?!) names. The reigning Queen, the new princess’s great grandmother, is a beloved figure to so many people around the world—and then of course, it’s also Kate’s mom’s middle name. Way to flatter everyone at once, right? And then Diana. There is no other known Diana either in the royal family or in the Middleton crew, so there’s only one person that this name is paying tribute to—William’s late mother, Diana Spencer, who he lost when he was just 15. I know many people were hoping they’d name a daughter Diana for the first name, but I truly like it as a final name—it’s like the ultimate sentimental mic drop.

3. Think about your existing children’s names. Little George Alexander Louis’s name is so very traditional, that it only makes sense to match it with another traditional name in their daughter. George and Charlotte sound adorable together—like little playmates out of a children’s storybook. While I loved Rose as a first-name pick (for many reasons, hahaha!) George and Rose just doesn’t have the same ring to it. When you’re baby naming, saying the names together out loud can help you tell which ones work better than others.

How did you choose your baby’s name—or are you still in the middle of choosing? Will you name your child after someone dear to you or have you already? Share your baby naming story in the comments!