Royal Baby Names You'll Want To Steal

You plan to treat your baby like royalty, so why not name them after royalty? If you love all things regal, you may just find the ideal name for your baby among the names of one of Europe's aristocratic families. Royals often pick stately names that veer towards the traditional side, although there are a few surprises on this list. Here are some of the best royal baby names out there, perfect for your own little prince or princess.

The name Charlotte was famously given to the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Coming from the root name Charles, this French variation was brought to Britain in the 1600s and is now the name of one of the most famous people in Britain, Princess Charlotte. The name has been on an upward trend for several years, and has spiked in popularity since being given to one of the world's most adorable royals.

The name Amalia is a rare gem. Seldom used in the United States, it's more popular in Europe where it is the name of Princess Amalia, daughter of Luxembourg's Prince Felix and Princess Claire. Other variations of this lovely moniker include Amelia and Amalie, all ultimately derived from the German "amal" meaning "work." It's not exactly the most romantic of name meanings, but the fact that Amalia is the name of a princess lends it a little more glamour.

Princess Ariane is the youngest child of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. The name Ariane comes from the Greek name Ariadne. In mythology, Ariadne was also a princess. Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos and helped the Athenian hero Theseus escape the Labyrinth in which he was trapped with the Minotaur. Princess Ariadne later married the god Dionysus. The name is saturated with royal history, making it an ultimate royal baby name.  

The royal family of the Netherlands seems to like names that start with the letter "A." Princess Ariane's sisters are named Princess Catharina-Amalia and Princess Alexia. The name Alexia is a French and English name derived from the name Alexis. It is also related to the name Alexius, a moniker bestowed on five emperors in the Byzantine Empire. It means "defender" or "helper," two noble pursuits which perfectly describe what a royal is meant to do for their people.

One of the most famous royal names in history, Constantine was the name of the Roman emperor who was responsible for the spread of Christianity in Europe in the 4th century. Nearly two millennia later, the name is still used by royals such as King Constantine of Greece. While King Constantine was officially deposed in the 1970s, he still retains his royal title. The root of the name Constantine is the Latin name Constans, meaning "constant" or "steadfast" — two qualities of a great lader. 

Princess Estelle of Sweden is a bright star in the country, which is only fitting since that's what her name means. Estelle is an English and French name coming from "stella," the Latin word for "star."  The name Estelle was moderately popular in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century, and has only recently started coming back in style. Other gorgeous variations of this name include Estrella, Estela, and Essie. This shining, royal name is perfect for the light of your life!

Elisabeth is the German and Dutch form of the English name Elizabeth, though it has also been used as a less common spelling variation in the U.S. since the earliest SSA records in 1880. The name has ancient roots, coming from the Hebrew name Elisheva, which means "my God is an oath." The name has been popular with royals in both of its forms, notably as the name of Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II of Britain. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, another famous royal, uses the less common version of the moniker. If you pick this name for your little princess, she will be in good company no matter which variation you choose!

Gabriel is a royal name that also happens to be one of the most popular names in the world right now. The name dates back to Biblical times and comes from the Hebrew name Gavri'el, meaning "God is my strong man." The name Gabriel is so well-loved that it's trending in the United States, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, and more than a dozen countries in Europe. The name is particularly beloved in Sweden and Belgium as both countries have a member of their royal family named Gabriel.

The name Leonor is the Spanish and Portuguese version of the more well known name Eleanor. It is one of the most popular names in Portugal, and is also the name of the future ruler of Spain, Princess Leonor. This royal name has quite a long legacy. Its earliest forms date back centuries, ultimately coming from the Occitan name Aliénor. Perhaps the most famous person to bear a variation of this name was Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful royals of the Middle Ages.

The Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese form of the name Philip, Felipe is often given to Spanish royals and is the name of the country's current monarch, King Felipe VI. It is rooted in ancient Greek, coming from the name Philippos, meaning "friend of horses." Philip is a royal name as well, having been used by royals for centuries. Notably, the name was used by Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great.

Princess Leonor's younger sister, Infanta Sofia of Spain, also has a name that comes with a lot of history. Sofia is another form of the name Sophia, which means "wisdom" in Greek. The name has been around for centuries, and was widely used among European royals in the Middle Ages, leavaing Infanta Sofia in good company! Both versions of the name are wildly popular, trending in the United States and throughout Europe. The name is so popular that Infanta Sofia shares her name with another famous royal, Princess Sofia of Sweden.

There's no way you can go wrong with a name that is borne by both royals and goddesses. Princess Athena of Denmark is the namesake of the Greek goddess Athena. Goddess Athena was also a princess as she was the daughter of Zeus, king of the Olympian gods. The goddess of warfare and wisdom, Athena's name meaning is unclear, although it is possible that the name comes from the Greek words for "sharp" and "praise."