Seriously though, the Sussexes are not going to name their child ‘Philippa’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus team trials in Bath

Unless people are super-interested in talking about the ancient bones found in Montecito, it’s actually been a quiet week in SussexLand. TMZ had the weird bones story and of course they had to loop in Harry and Meghan. But other outlets have been trying to have some fun Sussex stories too, especially because many people believe that Meghan is due this month. Meghan’s book, The Bench, will be released next week, so there’s a chance we’ll get some promotion from her. But until then, all we’re getting is bones and baby names.

A few days ago, People Magazine ran a sort of asinine story based on comments Harry and Meghan made back in 2018 and 2019, where Meghan was pregnant with Archie. I’ll spare you the backstories, suffice to say that M&H indicated back then that they were open to names like Amy, Lily and Harriet. Apparently, Harry was very keen on “Harriet” and now I could definitely see Harriet as a middle name to “match” Archie’s middle name, Harrison. Like, Archie Harrison and Iris Harriet Diana? Come on, that makes perfect sense.

But of course, the British gamblers are still mega-focused on “Philippa,” the female version of Philip. That name has been leading at all of the gambling sites, along with Diana and Elizabeth. People Magazine then did a second story about how Meghan and Harry should seriously consider Philippa as a name because of Queen Philippa, the wife of King Edward III and first queen with Moorish ancestry. Again, I just seriously and completely do not believe that Philippa is even in contention for the Sussexes. While I’m sure Harry would like to honor his grandfather in some way, they just wouldn’t be that obvious about it. Nor would they give their child the same name as Kate’s sister.

I’m still convinced that a flower name is in contention. Iris, Poppy, Lily, Violet, Ivy, Jasmine, Daisy, Dahlia, Sage. Something like that.

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex presents the Celebrating Excellence Award to Nathan Forster, a former soldier of the Army's Parachute Regiment, at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Draper’s Hall in London on February 7, 2019. - The Royal Foundation's Endeavour Fund Awards celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges over the last year. Forster suffered serious injuries whilst serving with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan. With Flying for Freedom Nathan discovered a passion and aptitude for flying and in only five years, he has gone from having no experience of flying, to flying 737’s for Thomas Cook.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid.

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135 Responses to “Seriously though, the Sussexes are not going to name their child ‘Philippa’”

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  1. Elizabeth Regina says:

    With what they’ve put the Sussexes through. All I want for them is a healthy and beautiful baby.

    • Andrew’s Nemesis says:

      @ER Ditto. And I so look forward to the day that they announce their daughter’s arrival, at the time of their own choosing, from the privacy of their own homes, and the Daily Heil gets zilch. No asinine photoshoot on the steps of a hospital hours after birth in heels and full makeup, no stupid photocalls so the bluehairs can rattle their pearls and make comments about the child’s ethnicity – nothing. Just H&M, happy and content and overjoyed by their hardwon freedom.

    • Myjobistoprincess says:

      You are absolutely right. After all they’ve been through. But! my bet is on a name that starts with a D (to honor both their mothers) and/or a flower. the flowers that they have given for all kinds of occasions all seemed to have been very researched, the flower choice for Prince Philip funerals were very detailed and meticuously studied. I bet that was because they were reasearching names for a baby girl the first time, and they are even better experts now that they are having a girl.

    • Elizabeth Phillips says:

      I like the idea of flower names. Maybe Mignonette or Marigold or Magnolia…

  2. Snuffles says:

    I’ll be thrilled with whatever they name her but I’m secretly hoping for some hybrid of California hippy/ African name. Like Malika Rainbow Mountbatten-Windsor.

    • Mercury says:

      Malika is actually an Arabic name. I can see how one would think its African. Also of note, a lot of Africans brought to the United States were muslim- so there is that connection too!

    • bettyrose says:

      I LOVE Malika Rainbow. That is so California, combining a name with cultural significance with a fun hippy name. Like everyone else, I’m not super invested in the name, but it is fun to discuss and there are so many reasons not to go with Philipa. So.Many.Reasons.

  3. Amy Bee says:

    Nah Philippa is out as well as all Royal names. I think the names are going to be a surprise to everyone just like with Archie.

    • Capepopsie says:

      @Amy Bee I totally agree!

    • Cecilia says:

      I do think it will be a British name tho. Unsuspected m, but british much like Archie is.

      • Snuffles says:

        How is Archie British. Because in associate the name with Archie comics.

      • Sofia says:

        @Snuffles: Archie is actually a pretty standard upper class/aristo name mainly in Scotland. It may have a different association in America but again, it’s a standard aristo name mainly in Scotland.

      • Dee says:

        The name Archie is a boy’s name of German origin meaning “truly brave”. The British royal family actually has German roots, which they attempted to hide in the 20th century.

      • boing says:

        Meghan has more German blood than Harry does, her father is of nearly full German descent, making Meghan practically half and Archie 1/4 German.

        Markle is also the anglicized spelling of the German name ‘Merckel’

        Harry, on the other hand only has about 5-6 percent German blood and is of mostly British ancestry.

        …But there’s nothing wrong with being German, right 😉

      • ennie says:

        Boing, I wouldn’t die to say that the younger royals are mainly german, but they are not at all 5/6 percent only. They might have been British or greek, like Philip, but the German roots are likely much higher.

      • Mrs.Krabapple says:

        I though Archie was a near anagram to Rachel. Then Harrison was literally Harry’s son. If they do the same for their daughter, they could end up with something like Reyna or Reyhna (near anagrams to Henry) and Josephine as the middle name (in the Bible, Rachel’s first son was Joseph).

    • Virginia says:

      I would love if they name their baby girl Harriet Victoria Mountbatten Windsor.

    • Totorochan says:

      @Snuffles, “nickname” names like Charlie, Freddie, Alfie, Archie, Evie, Rosie, Ellie and Millie have become top 100 popular in the UK. In North America, people do think of the Archie comics but I think that’s partly because it isn’t otherwise a popular name, so the comics and TV are people’s first association with it.

      • Ann says:

        I agree. I never knew anyone named Archie, not in my generation nor in my parents’. It might be more popular now. Didn’t Amy Poehler name one of her sons Archie? But it’s very uncommon here which is why people think of the comics when they hear it.

    • BABSORIG says:

      Yeah, like I said last week, they would never name their baby girl Pippa.

    • Becks1 says:

      It’s definitely not going to be Pippa and I’m laughing that magazines are even suggesting it will be.

      If they do honor Philip with the name, I think it will be Alice, for his mother. You could even say that Poppy honors him because of his military work.

      • Mac says:

        I love the name Poppy. It’s just so cheerful.

      • Becks1 says:

        @Mac I’m determined its going to be Poppy and that’s just how I refer to the baby now lol. Archie and Poppy.

        I’m going to be in for a shock when its not Poppy lol.

    • taris says:

      yeah, phillipa’s way too obvious. as is elizabeth. but i think diana’s a go (as a middle name). i agree it’ll probably be something totally unexpected … plus, she’s def due this month!

      also … the sussex stories from the media this week are kinda desperate. harry and meghan are these people’s bread & butter, clearly.

  4. Alexandria says:

    Still going with Maxwell (Maxie) Harriet Mountbatten-Windsor.😄

    • Noki says:

      Maxwell? I truly hope not that is such a masculine name. Just like that actress that recentlly named her daughter George. Smh

      • JT says:

        I immediately thought of Ghislaine Maxwell.

      • Lady D says:

        Ryan Reynold’s oldest girl, James.
        Jessica Simpson’s oldest girl, Maxwell.
        Mila Kunis/Ashton Kutchner’s only girl, Wyatt.
        George has to be the worst though.

    • Jais says:

      @alexandria- I’m with you on Maxwell/maxie. I like it a lot too but last time a commenter pointed out the Ghislaine Maxwell problem of that name. Still like it though.

      • Alexandria says:

        Omg gross…ok then I’ll have to pivot to Arwelle Harriet😄

        Elly as a nick. Archie and Elly.

    • BABSORIG says:

      Maxie can also be short for Maxine

      • Jais says:

        True about Maxine but I think the reason Alexandria is arguing for Maxwell is bc combined with Archie, the two names together make archwell

    • paranormalgirl says:

      Isn’t that Jessica Simpson’s daughter’s name?

      • HeatherC says:

        I know it’s Hilary Burton Morgan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s daughter’s name.

    • Amelie says:

      Maxwell always makes me think of the Nanny, as in Maxwell Sheffield. I hate it for girls and for boys, it just sounds so upper crust and stuffy, like the baby came out wearing a pantsuit or something. I don’t mind Maxine or Maxime but Maxwell, ugh no.

  5. CommentingBunny says:

    As a child of the 80s all I can think of when I hear the name Harriet is

    Harriet
    HarriET
    Hard hearted harbinger of haggis

    • greenmonster says:

      Me too. I quote that line every single time someone mentions the name Harriet 🙂

    • Aphra says:

      Harriet the Spy

    • Moneypenny says:

      Me too! I always say “She stole my heart and my cat.” 🙂

      And now that I’m revisiting them with my daughter, Harriet the Spy is also brought to mind.

    • Elaine Stritch says:

      Hahaha She was a THIEF. You gotta BELIEF. She stole my heart and my CAT.

      This pops into my mind more often than it should.

    • Elo says:

      Absolutely same!
      Woman WOman
      WooooooMAN

    • Ann says:

      I’m not crazy about the name Harriet. I hope they don’t use that one, but whatever. If it’s a flower name it would be nice to give a nod to the grandmothers by using Daisy or Dahlia.

    • Kalana says:

      I just burst out laughing.

      Head!

      He’ll be cryin’ himself into his giant pillow tonight.

  6. notasugarhere says:

    They could name her Alice instead, after Philip’s mum, but I don’t think they will. Her full name has lots of options – Victoria Alice Elizabeth Julia Marie

    • Cecilia says:

      I also have alice at the top of my list but i kind off hope they won’t. That baby will be labeled crazy and unstable before she’s even uttered her first word

      • Amy Bee says:

        Alice is a royal name. It’s all over the British Royal family tree. So that’s out.

    • Moneypenny says:

      Oooh! Julia! Then baby Sussex will be in great company with my 3 year old daughter 🙂

  7. GG says:

    Harriet feels a little matchey to me, but I think Henrietta would be a cute middle name! I wonder if they have plans to honor Meghan with their daughters middle name though.

    • Snuffles says:

      They could name her Rachel! Meghan’s real first name and her Suits character’s name.

      • notasugarhere says:

        She has chosen to go by Meghan all of her life, don’t know how fond she is of the name Rachel. A bunch of the haters call her Rachel. They think her awful sperm donor picked that name and they want to force her to use it/ want it associated with her.

    • Oh says:

      How do they know if the name “Rachel” was chosen by the sperm donor? 🤣

      • notasugarhere says:

        They falsely believe he has Jewish roots, and that Rachel was chosen as a Hebrew name for her.

  8. Celia456 says:

    “the British gamblers are still mega-focused on “Philippa” reflects the BM’s seeming inability to understand that Harry has a life (and thoughts) outside of the BRF. Like they can’t conceive that he’d consider names beyond philippa, Elizabeth etc.

    • Liz version 700 says:

      Very true. They are not naming their kid after Kate the Great’s sister. Kate has made their lives hell and her sister has helped.

  9. Willow says:

    If they are going to name her after a family member, it should be Doria or Diana. If it was me, I would start with a clean slate and not use a family name at all.

  10. Cecilia says:

    If they name her philippa i will call child protective services because that is abuse

  11. February-Pisces says:

    Harry would never name his daughter after one of his stalkers. Ma middy and Camilla Tominey would wet they pants claiming it’s because harry is ‘secretly in love with Pippa’ lol.

  12. Elizabeth says:

    Artemisia! Greek version of Diana, landmark female artist Gentileschi, and Arty for short to go with Archie!

    Just kidding, I am sure they will go for a short, cute name like Archie. Not an aristocratic tongue-twister.

    • Cecilia says:

      I think Marie is a cute name. Modern version of Mary so it would be “royal” enough.

  13. carousel says:

    A while back there was a story about how she bought herself a custom Cartier watch when she first found success. It was engraved “to M love M” or something along those lines and she wanted it to be an heirloom piece. I have a feeling they’ll use an M name somewhere in the mix.

    • AmB says:

      Mehitabel?

    • notasugarhere says:

      She gifted it from herself to herself, hence the engraving. She wants to gift it to a daughter, but that doesn’t tie them to using an M name. Watches can be reengraved.

      • Lady D says:

        She could go with a name like Marigold. It’s a flower name, it can be shortened to Mary which is most royal, and the watch won’t require re-engraving.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Still doesn’t cover the last name, Mounbatten-Windsor (MW not M). Since they’d have to reengrave it for that, why stick with an M first name.

  14. Sofia says:

    Like I’ve said before, I think they’ll use a name that’s typically associated with the upper class but doesn’t really have a royal connection. Similar to Archie which, like I was saying above, *is* considered an upper class name, especially amongst Scottish aristos.

  15. Andrew’s Nemesis says:

    “ People Magazine then did a second story about how Meghan and Harry should seriously consider Philippa as a name because of Queen Philippa, the wife of King Edward III and first queen with Moorish ancestry” – is it just me, or does that sound pretty racist; ‘look, THERE was a Queen of colour, so you as a person of colour should totally name your child after her!’ Or am I just being over sensitive where Meghan is concerned, because of the utterly shameless and damaging racism she’s experienced as a member of the BRF..?

  16. SH says:

    One thing I recently realized is that they likely chose Harrison as a middle name likely so that Archie could use Harrison as his last name and just go by Archie Harrison if he chooses instead of the unwieldy Mountbatten-Windsor and wanted to be more anonymous. Meghan as an actor would be very familiar with people going by middle names or other changes for work purposes. So I could see them doing the same for their daughter.

    • notasugarhere says:

      And/or because she’s close with her wedding gown designer, who named her son Harrison 8 years ago. If they did want to have new last name for their kids? I see them picking a new one, not ‘Harrison’, and using it.

  17. Steph says:

    I kind of like the name Araminta, which was also Harriet Tubman’s birth name.

    Ari and Archie — that would be cute as hell.

    • Jais says:

      Aw I like that idea too @steph. I didn’t know that was Harriet’s birth name but the connections with that name would work.

    • Elizabeth says:

      That was her slave name.

    • Nivz says:

      Omg i was just thinking Araminta as I scrolled through. I love the sound of that name, it’s so old school. Although only first came across it in Crazy Rich Asians.

  18. damejudi says:

    They could use Marguerite, and then call her Daisy since that’s the botanical name for the flower.

    Marguerite Diana Mountbatten-Windsor? I kind of like it.

    • Aphra says:

      Oooo! I like that!

    • Jegede says:

      I think there’ already a Margarita.

      Princess Margaret’s grand daughter.

      She’s pretty too.

    • Emmitt says:

      They would probably just name her “Daisy,” then. Princess Margaret was extremely racist, I doubt they would want any name that would evoke any mention of her. They’ll name the kid “Amy,” everyone will say “Is that short for Amelia?” and they’ll say no, it’s just “Amy.” *heads exploding*

  19. Ctgirl says:

    Phillipa of Hainaut wasn’t Moorish. Her ancestry is well documented. Her son, the Black Prince, was named for the color of his shield. Queen Charlotte had African ancestry and this was noted in her lifetime. It was brilliant that Bridgerton acknowledged this and started the conversation.

  20. anotherlily says:

    ‘Ada’ – it means ‘first born daughter’ and has African origins. Perhaps a flower first name. Iris Ada sounds good.

  21. Tess says:

    I would think it’s not going to be Phillipa solely because of Pippa Middleton and how she tried SO HARD to get a thing with Harry going on.

  22. Harla says:

    I’d love it if they went with a super trendy, new age-y name like:
    Avri
    Juniper
    Skya
    Rowe or
    Ocean

    Heads would explode all over Salty White Isle!!

  23. Case says:

    I don’t understand why Royal watchers think they can guess their baby’s name. Archie was predicted by no one, and it’s clear they’re not basing their names on any royal lineage (other than perhaps Diana). They’re doing their own thing. I agree they seem like they’d go for a flower name! I really like the name Flora, personally.

  24. Mimi says:

    I saw a people article yesterday about the name Philippa and how the odds are they’ll use that name blah blah blah I literally rolled my eyes and kept scrolling

  25. wildwaffles says:

    Spencer Elizabeth Mountbatten-Windsor

    But honestly, I hope they pick something that has nothing to do with any of their families.
    Esme or Astrid?

    • notasugarhere says:

      Constantly amazed that Diana fans think Spencer is a name that would honour her. Diana was at war with her Spencer family most of her life, especially at the end.

  26. Lori says:

    This is just classical RR sh!tpot stirring. Float the idea and then when H&M dont go with it, they have an excuse to get mad about it. Like when Harry should stay in the UK for his Nan’s birthday. That was never the plan and then when he didnt stay it was an extra dozen articles about how this meant the RF insulted by it. They about as likely to name the baby Phillipa as they are to name her Karen.

  27. Feebee says:

    I like that you didn’t have Rose amongst the flower names 😁

  28. nicegirl says:

    I love the flower names idea.

  29. Lauren R says:

    Do we think they will really honor Phillip? They could go off the cuff and do something like Phiona versus Philipa. Just seems like a lot of pressure to name their child after someone who seems to have been racist in his past.

  30. Lena says:

    Archie came (as far as o know) completely from left field. I predict they will name the baby something as off the radar.

  31. HeyThere! says:

    I don’t think they’re going to use any royal name at all. I think it will be a modern-nature name. I do not think it’ll start with a D or an M. I think they’ll surprise a lot of us like they did with Archie(in a good way). I’m so excited for them I wish for her an easy birth and a healthy, happy baby at the end!

  32. Liz version 700 says:

    I don’t think this child needs a Royal name at all. The Royals don’t want her because she might have tan skin. Bleep all of their names …just saying

    • notasugarhere says:

      Zara, Zenouska, Savannah, Isla, Mia, Lena. The Windsors don’t stick with ‘royal’ names.

  33. TigerMcQueen says:

    As if they’d name their daughter the same name as Keen Guevara’s sister. There are other ways to honor his grandfather than bring back bad memories and negative associations.

    Get stuffed, it ain’t gonna be Phillipa.

  34. Hairpin says:

    The name will be poppy after the California poppy

  35. Lola says:

    I’m going to randomly guess Lila or Lyra!

  36. Lizzie says:

    Repeating my earlier guesses. Georgia or Scottie.

  37. teecee says:

    Weird how the press is insistent that Meghan and Harry will surely honor Harry’s family and background as if Meghan doesn’t have a maternal family and background equally, if not more, worthy of that distinction.

    I hope they don’t pick an aristo English name at all. I like another commenter’s suggestion of a name with African-American or Black roots. Ada? Zuri? Zora? Nia? Maybe named after another amazing black woman? Maya? Toni? Michelle? Ida? Shirley? Octavia? (as in Butler, but Spencer is lovely.)

    • Jais says:

      My friend named her daughter Zuri and I think it’s really lovely. Having an A name and a Z name would be interesting.

    • Emmitt says:

      LOL they could name her “Jasmine” or “Tiana” and watch our heads explode just like they exploded when we found out Archie was named “Archie.” (like the comic? what if he has red hair? LOL)

  38. Ann says:

    I was in line at the grocery store and there was one of the tabloid mags, not National Enquirer but something slightly less trashy, that said they were having twin girls. Of course I looked at the article while I was waiting. Ha, don’t tease me! They are not having twins! That would be too awesome. I know it’s not true because it also said they were considering Diana and Beth, short for Elizabeth, as names. Which they are not, I am fairly certain.

    Wouldn’t that be amazing though? Twin girls. A woman can dream. Daisy and Poppy.

  39. tamsin says:

    I like Zoe. Archie and Zoe sounds great!

  40. MsIam says:

    I’m hoping for “Emerald” and she can be Emmy for short. Emerald Mountbatten Windsor.

  41. nicegirl says:

    Just fun ideas ? Idk

    Briony (to sprout)
    Zinnia (A&Z?)
    Aster
    Cassia
    Heather
    Marguerite (Daisy)

  42. JustMe says:

    I like the name Dinah. D for Diana and Doria, I for her own individuality, N for MeghaN, A for Archie, and H for Harry.

  43. Vavavoom says:

    How about Oprah? 🙂

  44. Lucky Charm says:

    Amy would be awesome! Princess Amy would be a great addition. I believe she will be Princess once Charles becomes King?

    • Oh says:

      Yes, but Charles aka Tampon wants to change the George V convention so Archie and Baby Girl Sussex are not gonna be a prince or princess.

  45. Curious says:

    Carole already named Pippa -Philippa.. so she gave both her daughters royal names.maybe Harry/Meghan will give their daughter a simple name. my niece is named after her grandfather who’s name was Henry,so they named her Henrietta.

  46. A Guest says:

    Margaret Alice Mountbatten-Windsor born July 1st just for the mass hysteria it would cause.

    (Diana’s birthday)

  47. Tinydancer says:

    I love flower names if i ever have a daughter il might go for that.
    Dahlia is a flower and sounds a lot like Diana..

  48. Linda says:

    As long as they don’t call her Betty or Veronica…

  49. Robin Keefe says:

    They took Archie from the beginning of Archewell, so maybe they will name her Ella. However, as others have said, I doubt they will choose a name that anyone on the planet has guessed.

  50. Kea says:

    Nevermind her name, I will die laughing if the baby grows up and looks just like Diana.. Imagine the explosion 🤣🤣🤣

  51. jferber says:

    I like Daisy or Poppy, simple and sweet. Daisy and Archie. Archie and Poppy. These kids will be so beautiful together and such a blessing to their adoring parents. Well done, Meghan and Harry.

  52. HME says:

    I’m leaning towards Poppy. State flower of California, which is Meghan’s home state, where their daughter will be born, and where they are building their new life free from the BRF. Plus Meghan wearing a dress with poppies on it while she was pregnant with her daughter who she is planning to name Poppy feels like a very Meghan thing to me.

    And it think Harriet is an excellent guess for a middle name. When they gave Archie the middle name Harrison I wondered what they would do if they had a daughter so that she wouldn’t feel left out. I know that is my brother had a middle name that basically meant “Dad’s son” and I didn’t have any connection to Dad in any of my names I would have felt left out. I was stupidly trying to figure out the female equivalent of Harrison (Harridottir???) when I should have been thinking of the female equivalent of Harry. Harriet!!! I am kicking myself for not thinking of that. And of course Henrietta is another option as Harry’s first name is actually Henry. So Poppy Harriet or Poppy Henrietta are my guesses. And it think they’ll be only two names, first and middle, just like Archie as their double barrel last name is already a mouthful and long.

  53. Sally says:

    No one cares.

  54. Heat says:

    I have always found that the Queen’s nickname “Lilibet” is so sweet. It was also what Prince Philip called her and the name she put on his casket note.
    Lilibet would be a great first name, and they could even shorten it to Lili.

  55. Mandy says:

    I definitely don’t think they’ll name their daughter Philippa OR Elizabeth o Diana. Frankly I don’t see them naming their daughter after any royal, past or present. Archie doesn’t have a royal name so what makes people think they’ll switch up this time around? I can see them honoring Diana though, maybe Diana as a middle name or Frances as a first or middle name. I could also a play on Dianas name without making it directly related to her. Instead of Frances they call her Francesca and Frankie for short.

    I see names like Lyla, Isabelle or Izzy, Addison, Allison, Maisie, Stella, Violet, Bree, Hayden.

    • Mandy says:

      Also since Archie inspired Archewell. I can see them also giving baby girl a name that relates to Archewell. Well? Noelle? Ellie? Ella? Maybe they’ll give her an entirely different name and name a foundation after her.

  56. QwietStorm says:

    I like Allison, also. And in a way, it honors Phillip (Alice-son).
    For the floral names, I’m partial to Violet.
    And for some odd reason, I like Nina. There’s no significance, but it simple and classy.

  57. BooyahB!tches says:

    Ohhh, I LOVE this: “Harriet as a middle name to “match” Archie’s middle name, Harrison. Like, Archie Harrison and Iris Harriet Diana”….yes please!!