To say that it’s been an eventful time for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would be the understatement of the year. They have moved across the world, had their royal roles revoked, told Oprah all about their time with “the firm,” and announced that Archie is going to have a little sister. As part of the bombshell interview that the pair did with Oprah earlier this month, they announced the sex of their child. The royal couple is expecting a baby girl! Ever since learning this, we immediately began to speculate about baby names.
Royal watchers are already placing bets on gambling sites like Odds Monkey on potential baby names for the couple’s unborn daughter. Many suspect that their move from England to California will make the choice a little easier with far less pressure from the family. This could result in a more colorful choice than a name like Archie. However, we are not sold on the idea that the name will be more “Americanized.”
We suspect these two will keep it classy and honor a member of their families or even each other. Archie’s middle name, Harrison, is a nod to Harry after all. Here are our best bets on what baby names Meghan and Harry will likely consider and ultimately choose for their baby girl.
Elizabeth
We can feel you rolling your eyes, but there’s a history of honoring royal relatives with names. For instance, Princess Eugenie gave her son the name August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, the Philip element of the name comes from none other than the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. Meaning, there’s a chance that Queen Elizabeth’s appellation might appear in some form for Harry’s daughter. Elizabeth has Hebrew origins and means “pledged to God.”
Alexandria
Many are betting that Harry and Meghan will look to baby names that start with the letter A for inspiration. The thinking is that an A-name would pair well with Archie. After Meghan’s powerful interview in which she described having thought of suicide, we think a name like Alexandria might be a worthy option. It has Greek origins and means “defender,” which feels fitting. Queen Elizabeth’s full name is Elizabeth Alexandra Mary.
Diana
Big money is on the obvious choice, Diana, the name of Prince Harry’s late mother. Losing a parent deeply affects a child as it is something one never fully recovers from. We imagine Harry has a soft spot for the name Diana and will likely go with it for his daughter. Even if it does not land as the first name, it likely will be featured in the middle. Diana has Latin origins and it means “divine.” Not bad!
Spencer
Namberry’s Senior Editor, Sophie Kihm, thinks Diana is too obvious a choice for the parents and believes the couple will honor their new baby’s grandmother in a different way. One possible solution would be to choose the Princess’s maiden name, Spencer. Spencer would be an original choice for a baby girl! It has French origins and means “provisioner.”
Phoebe
Phoebe is a fabulous Greek name that means “radiant.” Kihm believes it’s a possibility because Phoebe is another name for the mythical hunting goddess Diana. It would be an excellent way for the couple to nod to Diana without saddling her with a name that might carry some baggage.
Artemis
Another name for the goddess Phoebe, that might be more likely associated with the moon and hunting deity, Artemis could also hint at Diana while offering a fresh name. Artemis is the Greek equivalent to the Roman Diana. Artemis is also way more popular in the UK than it is here in the US. In fact, it’s a top 1000 name there today. In the US, the name has never ranked in the top 1000. Further, this checks the A-name box.
Nellie
Like Archie, which is short for Archibald, Nellie is another established nickname-name. Archie and Nellie just seem to fit together. Even though Nellie sounds rather retro, Archie did too until the royal couple dusted it off. Nellie is slowly making a comeback today in the US as well. In 2019, the name finally returned to the US top 1000 most popular baby names for the first time in 50 years. Nellie comes from Helen or Eleanor and it means “horn.”
Ellie
Another one of the nickname baby names that Meghan and Harry could choose is Ellie. It’s got the Nellie sound without the dated feel. Ellie is typically consider short for Ellen and Eleanor and means “bright shining one.” Ellie and Archie sound like two peas in a pod, don’t they?
Doria
Of all the baby names to put forward, you are probably wondering where in the world Doria comes from? Doria Loyce Ragland is Meghan’s mother’s name and could be a possibility for their baby girl. Doria does sound rather vintage, which very well could appeal to these parents. Doria is simply another form of Dorothy which means “God’s gift.”
Isadora
Another vehicle to get these parents to Doria could potentially be Isadora. Isadora is one of those criminally ignored baby names that go overlooked each year. Parents have not widely chosen since 1901! Isadora could go by Doria for short or Izzy, which sounds agreeable to Archie.
Sylvie
For those thinking the couple will lean into European charm for baby names, we think Sylvie would fall into this category. Sylvie is the romantic, French form of the Latin name Sylvia which means “from the forest.” A forest goddess with this name is central to the creation myth of Rome in which Romulus and Remus were born. Sylvie sounds chic and elegant, much like Meghan herself.
Millie
Another cute nickname-name in the same lane as Nellie and Ellie would be Millie. Millie is one of those vintage baby names that is fashionable again today. It’s on the rise in both the US and the UK. Here it’s near the top 200. In the UK, the name is in the top 50. Millie is considered a shortened form of Mildred or Millicent. Thus, it can mean “gentle strength” and “strong in work.”
Maisie
There’s a chance that baby names starting with M like Millie and Maisie could be a potential choice. Meghan could want to pass on the M initial to her daughter (even though her birth name was Rachel Meghan Markle). Maisie has been a trending name in the UK for decades and new parents finally picked it up here in the US beginning in the 2010s. Another nickname-name, Maisie is a Scottish short form for Margaret. It means “pearl.”
RELATED: 25 Nicknames That Make Great Official First Names
Henrietta
Prince Harry’s birth name is Henry so there is a good chance the baby girl’s name could come from him. Henrietta is a vintage find that has not been popular in the US since the 1950s. However, you will find it in the top 500 in England today. Henrietta takes its meaning from Henry, “estate ruler.” There are a couple of vintage nicknames that would pair well with Archie as well with Hattie, Hetty, and Etta as possibilities.
Cleo
“If it were up to me to choose a name for Archie’s sister, I’d go with Cleo,” baby name expert Sophie Kihm said. “Cleo is such a strong name for a girl — particularly with its connections to Cleopatra — and strength was something Meghan and Harry cited as a reason for choosing Archie’s name. It means ‘glory,’ which feels equal in gravity to Archie’s meaning, ‘truly brave.'” We think this would be a great choice too!
Elsie
A diminutive form of Elizabeth coming from the Scottish form Elspeth, Elsie is one of those curious baby names that starts to trend seemingly out of nowhere in all majority English-speaking countries. If English is spoken by new parents anywhere in the world, chances are Elsie is very popular there. It’s currently more popular in the UK and Australia than here, but it is still climbing fast!
Abigail
Abigail is another favorite across the betting markets. We thank that’s due to its nickname, Abby, which would sound really smart next to Archie. Abigail has Hebrew origins that mean “my father is joyful.” The only thing that might keep this one out of the realm of possibility for Harry and Meghan would be that it’s currently a top 20 name in the US. It’s one of the most extremely popular baby names in the US!
Isabella
Isabella is another form of the name Elizabeth, but that’s not why we have included it on this list. We are considering it more for the nickname Izzy which is yet another name that will sound swell next to Archie. Isabella is the Spanish and Italian preferred form of Elizabeth. The only downside? It’s one of the most popular baby names in the country today. Last year, it ranked fifth.
Theresa
The betting markets have the baby name Theresa at 100/1 but it consistently shows up as one of the baby names that folks are willing to gamble on for the little royal. Theresa has Spanish origins and means “to harvest.” Theresa has fallen from favor by most new parents which would make it attractive if Meghan and Harry are after a unique appellation with vintage appeal.
Kamala
We struggled with whether to include this name or not, but betters have Kamala favored at 16/1. We suppose that reflects the inspiration the Vice President commands. While we doubt this couple will choose Kamala for their baby, we would not be mad at all about it. Kamala comes from Hindi origins that mean “lotus flower.” You should also note that betters are placing bets on the name Oprah as well… So…
Arta
Harry and Meghan very well may pluck a baby name from complete obscurity. Arta was once a popular choice among parents. It appeared in the US top 1000 baby names in 1880 and 1881 before disappearing and never returning. Arta is the female form of a royal baby name you know well, Arthur. Arta shares the same Celtic roots which mean “bear king.” Arthur has long been a favorite choice for princes, it would be interesting to see a princess with it. There is another female form of Arthur, but we doubt most parents would go for Arthurine today.
Ida
We know that Meghan has always been an advocate for women and girls. She has used her platform to fight for women and to spread her progressive values. We also know that Meghan appreciates vintage baby names. We turn to Ida B. Wells for inspiration. Ida is considered one of the most influential journalists of the 20th century. In addition to fighting racist lynchings, she also was involved in women’s suffrage. Ida the name has German origins and means “industrious.” Ida is currently popular in England but it has not been here since the 1980s.
Evie
Evie enjoyed a renaissance as a popular baby name in the UK long before it returned in the US, but today it is a top 500 pick in both. Evie is a form of Eve a name with Hebrew origins that means “life” and related to the concept. Evie is one of those baby names that’s effortlessly cool and cute. We find it fitting.
Meghan
Caroline and Charlotte have a long history as royal baby names belonging to many queens and princesses. Of the two, we feel like Caroline has a better chance as Prince William already has a daughter named Charlotte. Caroline is one of the world’s most beloved names. It’s one that’s actually more popular in the US than the UK. It’s been a top 500 baby name here since 1880. Caroline comes from French origins and means “free man.” Do with that meaning what you will!
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Allegra
The odds are 11/1 on betting websites for the name Allegra. Why? It’s rumored that Princess Diana loved the name and planned to give it to a daughter if she ever had one. By giving Allegra to their daughter, Harry would be fulfilling a sort of promise to her. Allegra has Italian origins and means “joyful.” It’s currently far more popular in the UK than in the US. There’s it’s nearly a top 500 name, here it has never ranked in the top 1000 baby names.
What baby names is your money on? Honestly, there’s no way to know unless you know about the couple’s deliberations and we will probably all be shocked to learn the name Meghan Markle and Prince Harry go with. That’s the fun of it. It is exciting to learn about the betting market going wild over the name choice. It goes to show just how bright these two shine.