Since everyone loves to talk about royal baby names, let’s talk about royal baby names. We had fun guessing for Prince Harry and Meghan, and I’m not sure anyone really predicted “Lilibet Diana” would be the end result, nor did we predict how controversial that choice was. Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting and we don’t even know if it will be a boy or a girl, so people are having fun with the guesses. Edo is minor Italian royalty, so that might add some Italian flavor to the name selection:
The top name choices include a nod to Edoardo’s Italian background. Beatrice’s husband, whom she wed last summer, descends from Italian aristocracy. Edoardo’s father is Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, and as his oldest son, Edoardo will inherit the family’s ancestral seat, the 18th century Villa Mapelli Mozzi palace in northern Italy.
Florence and Theodore are the frontrunners when it comes to betting odds, with Ladbrokes setting the odds at 4/1 and 9/2, respectively. Arabella is a 5/1 shot, with Cecilia (6/1), Julius (6/1) and Francesco (6/1) also close behind.
“The latest odds suggest Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo will opt for a traditional name with a nod to the latter’s Italian roots, and as things stand it’s Florence and Theodore leading the way in the betting,” Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said.
The couple could also choose to pay tribute to Beatrice’s late grandfather, Prince Philip — and they wouldn’t be alone in that decision. Beatrice’s sister, Princess Eugenie, and cousin, Zara Tindall, both honored their grandfather just before his death by giving their newborn sons the middle name Philip. Other top name predictions for Beatrice include Emmeline, Madeleine, Clementine, Allegra, Gabriella and Isabella for a girl, and Hugo, Alexander, Rupert, Alfonso, Alberto and Teddy for a boy.
Again, I doubt anyone will name their daughter Philippa! One, that would be bonkers, and two, that’s Pippa Middleton’s real name. For that very reason, Beatrice wouldn’t name her kid Philippa. I do think that if Bea and Edo have a boy, “Philip” will probably be a middle name. And I love the idea of giving their kid a more Italian name. Not Florence! Not Arabella either. But Allegra is cute. Isabella was hugely popular a decade ago, so maybe. But it is worth noting that Beatrice and the Yorks are super-traditional, so they probably will use a “Queen Victoria” era name.
Over the last 200 years, the royal family has favored a remarkably small group of baby names, with Victoria being the most popular for royal girls, according to research by The Independent. In total the name has been given to royal babies nine times since the turn of the 19th Century, including Harry’s great-great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. This is closely followed by Mary, which has been bestowed to seven royal girls over the same period, including the Queen’s grandmother, Queen Mary, wife of King George V.
Next up with six counts, comes Alexandra and Louise – the name of Lady Louise, the 17-year-old daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex – followed by Elizabeth with five. Along with being the name of the reigning British monarch, this also happens to be the middle name of Princess Charlotte, 6, and her mom Kate Middleton!
The baby girl name list is then completed with Alice (4), Margaret (3), Charlotte (3), Augusta (2), and Helena (2).
As for boys, The Independent’s data dive shows that since Queen Victoria’s 1819 birth, a total of 12 royal babies have been named Albert after Victoria’s beloved husband, Prince Albert. This is followed by George (10), Charles (8), and Edward (7), with Christian, surprisingly taking the next spot on the list with five.
Weird that there’s no “Christian” in any of the current generations of royal men? It’s a nice name and one which isn’t used that much anymore. Anyway, I have the feeling that these are the names on Beatrice & Edo’s baby name list. Beatrice is going to name that kid something like Albert Philip Alfonso or Allegra Mary Elizabeth.
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Instagram, Avalon Red.
Girl: Victoria Elizabeth
Boy: Albert Philip
If not these names, they will be popular aristo names.
I am guessing that the Contessa is going to embrace Italy and go with a name such as Aurora, Chiara, Francesca, Elena or Riccardo, Leonardo. I think she’s too cagy to use Andrea. Matteo Mozzi? Matilde Mozzi? And there will be a couple of middle names also.
FWIW, I recently read that Edo will not inherit his father’s title, due to not holding Italian citizenship, so Bea is not currently in line to become a Contessa. I don’t know whether the report I read has been confirmed. Edo’s father holds dual Italian and British citizenship. Of course, Edo would still likely inherit the Italian villa.
Maybe Edo would try to obtain Italian citizenship while retaining British citizenship. But he hasn’t done so to date. Plus, Edo is not close to his father. He was raised and nurtured by his deceased (in 2011) stepdad, Christopher Shale, whom Edo obviously adored, and continues to revere and to honor publicly.
My guess is Elisabetta Alesandra for a girl. Philip Edoardo for a boy.
But…but… Elisabetta is SO CLOSE to Lilibet!!!! It’s ALL TQ has that’s her o…. Oh, wait… wrong cousin.
LOL!!!!
LOL.
Girl: Fergisina Andrea
Boy: Elizabeto Phllip
I kid…..I kid
Lol
Lmao, not Ferginisa 😂🤭
OR how about Regina for the first name? It means Queen in Latin. Now that would be hilarious: Regina Fergisina Andrea Phlipina
Sorry Celebitches but I am in a funk and need a laugh.
I think one of Andrew’s middle names is Christian. And there’s a Prince Christian of Denmark. And one Prince Christian of Hanover.
I think she’s having a girl and I imagine Elizabeth will be in there somewhere. Can also see a Victoria. And yes, something from Edo’s side but they may pick all British royal names or all Italian names, it doesn’t have to be split or something.
Florence and Theodore are both really lovely names, although I don’t love the idea of “Florence” with the intention of it being after the Italian city. That’s a little too on the nose.
Also…Theodore is Greek, not Italian (I guess Teodoro would be Italian version of the name? But etymologically, still Greek for “God’s gift”).
All those names (Arabella, Florence, Theodore,…) are just names that posh people love that happen to have an Italian ring to them. Throw a Flora in there, too. And no offense to any Theos, Floras, etc. on this blog – I was v tempted to call our baby Theodora after the fab Byzantine empress, but got voted down by my husband.
just popping in to say no one is gonna name their baby after an allergy med and the daughter of that murdered gucci guy
It was the niece of the murdered gucci guy, but your point stands about the allergy med.
Which I’ve always felt is such a shame because I think the name Allegra is so pretty.
OMG it’s VERSACE LMAO
Thanks for the laughs
@Cee lol. I totally knew that. We all must have Gucci on the brain!
Oh no!!!! I think Allegra is such a cute name too and forgot it’s also the name of allergy medicine. Now I’ll never forget that. LOL!!!
Is that only on the USA? Or is that allergy medicine worldwide.. I always liked that name, until it was taken over by the allergy drug.
Does anyone think she would include Andrew in there for a boy? Of the 2 York girls, I think Beatrice would be more likely to include Andrew somewhere in the name, but I really hope she doesn’t.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all to be snuck in there, as a 2nd middle name.
You’re right that she’s definitely the one more likely to but I hope to Pizza Express she doesn’t.
“I hope to Pizza Express that she doesn’t”
😂😂
I think Elizabeth and Philip will both be included (depending on sex) but as middle names, not as first names. Elizabeth is one of Beatrice’s names so it would include her as well.
My guess is for the first name it will be something sort of Italian, sort of English, sort of trendy and sort of aristocratic. I know that’s super helpful lol. But maybe Isabella or just Isabel, gabriella (I know there’s a windsor cousin named that but IDK how much Beatrice cares about that). or maybe just Ella, which is pretty on its own. Edo’s fathers name is Alessandro, so for a girl or boy Alexandra/er could work – family connection, cute nickname with Alex or Zander.
I just checked and Wolfie’s real name is Christopher Woolf, so seems like Edo might like traditional first names with the potential for a different nickname.
Maybe she’ll go with Andreas? Kinda honours Andrew, but is (well, Greek, but sounds sorta Italian, too). I doubt it will be Christian as Edo’s other son is Christopher – that’s really too close, I think. I love Alessandro/a – I’m rooting that it makes it in there somewhere.
Ultimately I hope the names are over the top weirdo aristo names (all the double-barrels lol!).
If they do Victoria, I suspect they’ll do the Italian version – Vittoria.
I thoroughly believe if a girl Elizabeth will be one of the names and no one will bat an eye or say the name was stolen or that this was the only thing the queen had left for herself… instead Bea will get a billion back pats for “honoring her grandmother” etc etc.
The commentary around Edoardo’s cultural heritage has always been so strange. This man is English, his ancestors are from Italy. The UK press keeps acting like folks from the Midwestern US do about ‘white ethnics’. It’s so backwards and hillbilly.
Yeah, he’s more British than Italian. He grew up in the UK with an aristo mum and aristo step dad.
I’m Midwestern and I certainly don’t make a big deal about “white ethnics” — probably because those “white ethnics” were all four of my grandparents. Please go stereotype the Midwest somewhere else.
Agreed.
The Midwest really isn’t the first region I think of when WASP prejudice comes to mind. That would be the northeastern states (today as well as historically). I’m of Irish descent so I know a little about that.
What a bizarre comment.
Edo’s father is italian. That’s not an ‘ancestor’, that’s his literal biological father. Him growing up in England doesn’t change that. He’s half italian.
The Midwest isn’t ‘hillbilly’.
Go call people “hillbilly” elsewhere. That is a cultural stereotype also.
“The Midwest” has really down-to-earth, pretty chill people. I’ve lived in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, even though I’m a diehard left coaster.
Lil Mozz!! Or Junior!! They won’t do that though, too peasanty. There are some fantastic Italian names tho, I hope they pick one of those.
Sarah had said her original name choice for Beatrice was Annabelle. The Queen vetto’d it became she thought it was too trendy and suggested Beatrice. And it was actually 2 full weeks before a name was announced for Beatrice during this process. I can see her using that name. Id also suggest Louisa as a beautiful choice.
Princess Annabelle, that sounds like the name of a character in a ballet or a Disney movie LOL.
Yes but Beatrice’s children wont be titled. Unless there’s a title to be passed down from Edo’s side.
If my mother in law vetoed what I was naming my baby, I’d burn the place down.
That’s just vile of the queen.
He’s minor Italian NOBILITY. Not Royalty.
But anyway, its obviously going to be Victoria if it’s a girl, a boy I’m not so sure.
Yeah, he got a little promotion there. A count isn’t royal (normally). Bea is minor royalty.
What’s so wrong with Phillipa?
Its Pippa Middleton’s actual name and there’s no way Beatrice would use a Middleton name given what dicks those Middleton girls have been to the York girls.
Edwina for a girl.
Off topic but I do miss seeing how Meghan would style herself as a senior working royal. Case in point is the ivory/cream outfit above with the coat. I seriously want that dress. Wait, where are the buttons…
Lilibella is the obvious choice for a girl
I really don’t think they are going to pick an Italian name. Edo did not grow up in Italy and I doubt he speaks any Italian. The Count title his father has is a courtesy title bestowed to the family in 1913 and is not recognized in the UK or Italy once the Italian monarchy was abolished in the 1940s. From my research I don’t even think his father spent all that much time in Italy growing up (he skied for the UK when he was an Olympian). Also from articles I’ve read, it does not seem Edo grew up close to his father as his parents divorced when he was young and was way closer to his stepfather. Also random fact about Edo’s stepfather Christopher Shale: he supposedly died of a heart attack in a portapotty at Glastonbury Festival (which I’m sorry if it seems mean but I think that’s kind of hilarious) but reading about the whole thing seems very, very fishy given he was a political aide to David Cameron. Fun rabbit hole to go into if you have some free time.
I know there is the “ancestral” villa in Italy but my guess is if Edo inherits it after his father passes, he’ll probably sell it or let another family member take it on. Those grandiose estates are money pits most of the time and most of the aristocracy are pretty broke. He didn’t give his first kid an Italian name, I doubt he’ll give his second kid an Italian one. It’ll be Anglo-Saxon sounding, if not some posh upper society British name.
In true Italian custom, the child bares the paternal grand parent’s name. My dad was Italian and I inherited his mother’s name and my brother inherited my fathers Dad’s name. We’ll just have to wait and see!
I think this may be the winning theory. After all his first born is named Christopher which happens to be Edo’s stepfather’s name. Now I need to google his mom’s name.
Please nothing with Bella. It’s a beautiful name but seems like it cropped up everywhere post-Twilight.
The ancestral villa belongs to another branch of the Mapelli Mozzi family. These reporters need to learn to do some research and fact checking.
“Allegra” is something you take for allergies
Allegra means “happy.”
Yes, Allegra means ‘happy’ and it’s also used as a musical term in classical pieces. It’s too American to assume it has one literal meaning!
Isabel/Isabella is the Spanish form for Elizabeth.