Royal First Names: Historical and Modern Names from European Royal Houses

Tradition and International Renown: What Sets Royal First Names Apart

Royal houses rarely follow short-lived trends when choosing names. Instead, they draw on names that are already anchored in their own family history. As a result, certain first names appear again and again across different eras.

Most of these names have Old High German, Latin, Greek, or Hebrew roots. A major advantage of these classic name families is their international usability. Because European royal houses were interrelated for centuries, established spellings exist in various languages for almost all of these names. Old High German Wilhelm becomes William in the English-speaking world and Guillaume in French; Greek Philippos becomes Philip, Felipe, or Philippe. If you are looking for a name that is understood and easily pronounced across borders, you will quickly find what you need in this group of names.

Names from Historical and Current Royal Houses

Here you will find a selection of first names firmly rooted in European monarchies, along with their origin and meaning.

• Alexander: This name dates back to ancient Greece. The Greek words "alexein" (to protect or defend) and "aner" (man) form the foundation. Alexander is thus documented as "defender of men." It is strongly represented in many European royal houses, particularly in the Dutch, Swedish, and British dynasties.
• Amalia: A name currently very prominent thanks to the Dutch crown princess. Amalia goes back to the Germanic name element "amal," which means bravery and diligence.
• Arthur: Arthur's exact origin is not definitively resolved. One explanation links the name to the Celtic word for bear; other origins are also discussed. The name is also well known from the British royal family.
• Carl / Karl: This name is a fixture in the line of succession in Sweden and the United Kingdom (as Charles). The Old High German base word "karal" means "free man" or "husband."
• Charlotte: Charlotte is documented as the French feminine form of Charles (Karl) and shares its meaning ("free woman"). The name is frequently used in the royal houses of the United Kingdom and Monaco.
• Christian: In the Danish royal house in particular, the names Christian and Frederik have alternated over generations. The name has Latin and Ancient Greek roots and means "follower of Christ."
• Eleonore: Eleonore belongs to the name family of the Occitan form Alienòr. The original meaning is unexplained. The narrative of "alia Aenor," meaning "the other Aenor," is an explanatory theory, not a confirmed etymology.
• Elisabeth: One of the most frequently given royal names of all, associated among others with the British Queen Elizabeth II and the Austrian Empress Elisabeth ("Sisi"). The name traces back to Hebrew; the root words mean "God is my oath" or "God is abundance."
• Estelle: The Swedish princess bears this name, which traces back to the Latin word "stella." Its meaning is documented as "the star." The name spread primarily through the French-speaking world.
• Friedrich / Frederik: A classic ruler name in Prussia and Denmark. It is composed of the Old High German words "fridu" (peace or protection) and "rihhi" (powerful or ruler).
• Georg / George: A standard name in the British royal family. Its origin is Ancient Greek: "georgos" is composed of "ge" (earth) and "ergon" (work) and means "the agricultural worker" or "the farmer."
• Heinrich / Henry: This name shaped English and German history. The Old High German elements "heim" (house or home) and "rihhi" (power or ruler) form the foundation.
• Ingrid: A traditional name in Scandinavian royal houses. It traces back to Old Norse and combines the name of the Germanic deity "Ing" with the word "fríðr," meaning beautiful or beloved.
• Leonor: The Spanish crown princess bears this Iberian variant of Eleonore. Here, too, the name is widely interpreted as "the other Aenor," but what is primarily confirmed is its membership in the broader name family surrounding Eleonore and Eleanor.
• Ludwig / Louis: A name inextricably linked to the French monarchy and the Bavarian kings. It is composed of the Old High German terms "hlut" (loud or famous) and "wig" (battle).
• Margarethe / Margrethe: The longtime Danish queen bears this name. Via Latin, it traces back to the Ancient Greek "margarites," which is documented as "the pearl." The word originally likely stems from Persian.
• Mathilde: The current Queen of Belgium is named Mathilde. The name has Old High German roots: "maht" means power or strength, while "hiltja" stands for battle.
• Sverre: A name from the Norwegian royal house with a strong historical reference to King Sverre Sigurdsson. The Old Norse word stem "sverrir" means "the restless one" or "the wild one."
• Victoria: Popularized by British Queen Victoria, this name is present in many royal houses (such as Sweden and Spain). The Latin word "victoria" simply means "victory."
• Wilhelm / William: A name of great significance in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The Old High German elements "willio" (will) and "helm" (protection or helmet) form the foundation.

Long First Names and the Last Name: What You Should Keep in Mind

Royal first names are generally multisyllabic. Names like Alexander, Elisabeth, or Margarethe have three or four syllables. If you choose such a name, it is worth considering your last name. A long first name often pairs very well with a short, one- or two-syllable last name. With a very long last name, a four-syllable first name can feel somewhat unwieldy in everyday life.

A practical benefit of these classic names is that they almost always come with established nicknames. Charlotte easily becomes Lotte or Charlie, Alexander turns into Alex, and Elisabeth becomes Elli or Lisa. You are giving your child a formal name for official documents and future professional life, while simultaneously having catchy everyday names at hand.

Additionally, it is customary in noble families to give multiple first names—often three or four. If you choose a very traditional royal name but find it too imposing as a primary given name, it works wonderfully as an unspoken middle name. This way, you can embrace its historical depth without your child constantly being addressed by the full name in daily life.

How to Choose Your Favorites Together

The wealth of historical names can initially feel overwhelming. It is best to approach your search step by step. First, clarify whether you prefer a specific linguistic region—such as Nordic names like Sverre and Ingrid, or French-influenced ones like Louis and Estelle.

To find out which names both of you like, you can use the HeyName app. You connect your devices via invite and evaluate first names independently of each other. Each of you marks whether a name is a favorite, belongs on the maybe list, or is a definite no. Names that both of you marked as a favorite automatically appear as mutual matches. This gives you a solid foundation for your shortlist. In the app, you can also compare up to three favorites side by side and see how the first name reads paired with a potential middle name and your last name. You can also use filters by country, language, length, and starting letter to specifically search for names with a royal background.

Editorial update: September 22, 2026

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