Name of Thrones: Liechtenstein

Hello, readers!

Welcome to the fourth installment of my Name of Thrones series! I've been looking at modern monarchies from around the world and focusing on the names that don't have much use in the US. Princess and Queen have only recently left the top 1000, and I think that there are definitely more imaginative choices!

To Liechtenstein!

Notice that many of the male family members have Maria in their names! Many Christian monarchies include the name as a tribute to the Virgin Mary. 

Marie Aglaë - Princess of Liechtenstein

I've only come across this middle name once or twice, but I already love its classic French sound and the tréma over the last "e". Aglaë comes from the Greek for "splendor", and fits in nicely with vintage Agnes and Agatha. It has only been recorded in the US once in history: seven baby Aglae's were born in the US in 1992. 

Alois - Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein

A distant form of Louis, Alois is a handsome alternative. It means "famous in war", and it's a great sibling to the feminine Eloise. It's also distant from the fusty Aloysius. Alois has been incredibly rare in the US since the 1930's, but has the positive attribute of having a long history while maintaining its individuality. 

Joseph Wenzel Maximilian Maria - Prince of Liechtenstein, Count Rietberg

This young prince was named for ancestor Prince Joseph Wenzel Lorenz of Liechtenstein, who reigned during the eighteenth century. Wenzel is the German form of Wenceslaus (as in the Good King of song), meaning "great glory". I can see the similarities to Wendell, but I can't decide if either name is ripe for the picking. 

Marie-Caroline Elisabeth Immaculata - Princess of Liechtenstein, Countess Rietberg

Another name honoring the Virgin Mary, Immaculata means "pure" and has rarely been used in the US. It's very strongly Catholic, and could be an alternative to Chastity or Purity. Still, it's a difficult name to live up to, and would take a lot of explaining. 

Alfons Constantin Maria - Prince of Liechtenstein

I reviewed Alonso last week in my Top Names in Chile post, and now we'll look at another variant! Alfons means "noble and ready", and has been used more often in Romance-language communities. With Alfie getting popular in the UK, I think names like Alfred and Alfons might offer more formal long-form options. 

Moritz Emanuel Maria - Prince of Liechtenstein

A variation of the English Maurice, Moritz often conjures up images of the resort town in Switzerland. I think the name could work with today's geographical trends, as well as for its unusual -itz ending. The name means "dark-skinned", from the Moors. 

Georgina Maximiliana Tatiana Maria - Princess of Liechtenstein

Every name here has a feminine ending! Firstly, Georgina is a great alternative to Georgia, Regina, or Virginia. It could also honor a familial Gina. Maximiliana is a sweet, if slightly long way to get the nickname Max for your little girl - of course, Maxine and Maxima are other established options. Tatiana is a personal crush due its namesake, Tatiana Romanova (Anastasia's sister). 

Benedikt Ferdinand Hubertus Maria - Prince of Liechtenstein

None of these names are in the US Top 1000 (for boys, at least). Benedikt was named five years before Pope Benedict XVI ended his papacy, so that could be a religious honorific. Benedict has become better known in the US recently because of actor Cumberbatch. Hubertus is the Latin form of Hubert, meaning "bright-hearted". 

There are some really excellent choices here! Which are your favorites?

Name of Thrones: United Kingdom

Hello, everyone!

To continue my Name of Thrones series - check out Belgium and the Netherlands - we'll be focusing on one of the most recognized royal families in the world, the British House of Windsor. 

They're certainly a family of name trendsetters, and George and Charlotte are just the tip of the iceberg!

George Alexander Louis - Prince of Cambridge

After almost 100 years in the top 50, George was slipping down the list in the US until the birth of the prince turned that trend around - now it's climbing again! It's currently at #134 in the US and #7 in the UK. It means "farmer", and - oddly for the UK - doesn't have many ready nicknames. But if you're looking for something classic and timeless, George does the trick!

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana - Princess of Cambridge

I was over the top excited when I heard the name announcement - such a beautiful, feminine, royal name. And they used Diana!! Charlotte was already climbing in the US when the princess was born, but I think the added popularity could push it further up the top ten. 

Beatrice Elizabeth Mary - Princess of York

The first of an excellent sibset pair, Beatrice was chosen as a family name - the youngest daughter of Queen Victoria was also a Beatrice. It had a small spike the year she was born, 1988, but has really come back into fashion starting in 2006, with the retro-name trend. Beatrice means "she who brings happiness", and has a lot of nickname options! 

Eugenie Victoria Helena - Princess of York

The second of the sibset pair, Eugenie was another Windsor family name that hasn't achieved quite the popularity. Eugenie isn't on either the UK or the US list, so it could make a nice unique name. In France, however, Eugénie is at #286!

Savannah Anne Kathleen

Following an 80's movie, Savannah Smiles, the name started rising through the 90's as an alternative to Samantha - and ultimately become the name of the first great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II. Savannah has now been in the Top 50 since 1996, with no plans of moving. On a weird personal note, I became aware of this name through Jimmy Buffett's daughter - one of the first names that surprised me!

Isla Elizabeth

Isla was on the US lists briefly in the early 1900's, but it's popularity in the UK in recent years has made the name all the more popular today! Pronounced "EYE-lah", it means "island" - a great counterpoint to sister Savannah's name, meaning "grassland". 

Zara Anne Elizabeth

My favorite alternative to beautiful classic Sarah, Zara's only drawback is its connection to the clothing chain. It means "princess", appropriately. Zara Phillips Tindall is also an accomplished equestrian, competing in the 2012 Olympics. She named her own daughter Mia (pronounced MY-ah) Grace. 

Elizabeth is the middle name that wins the day - honoring her majesty, Grandmother Windsor.  

Name of Thrones: Belgium

To expand my knowledge of names from around the world, I'll be periodically focusing on modern monarchies and the names of royal family members. I'm going to try to focus on names that aren't heard much in the US, rather than hash out whats popular across cultures.

Feel free to suggest countries in the comments!

This week, to Belgium!

Mathilde - Queen of Belgium
While German cognate Matilda has been sweeping the English-speaking countries lately, Mathilde hasn't been on the US charts since 1911. Pronounced "ma-TEEL", it's arguably more delicate than the German version, but keeps the strong meaning: "battle-mighty". If you're looking for something French but think Michelle, Elaine and Danielle are too popular, Mathilde might be for you!

Astrid - Princess of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este
Very strong and very Scandinavian, this would be perfect for a headstrong little girl. It means "divinely beautiful", and was recently the name of a character in the children's favorite How to Train Your Dragon, voiced by America Ferrera.

Amedeo - Prince of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este
While this name is most familiar to English speakers as Amadeus, Mozart's middle name, I think this Italian form would fit right in today. It means "lover of God", and is also the first name of painter Modigliani. Next to Giovanni, Alessandro or Leonardo, why not Amedeo?

Aymeric - Prince of Belgium
A distant French relative of Emery, I hadn't heard of this name until starting my research. But ultimately, I don't think this name is too foreign. The Ay-beginning sounds like Abraham or Aidan, and the -ric ending ties it to Frederick or Eric (a total name nerd like myself could point out that spelling it Aimeric would translate literally to "lover of Eric" - not a bad way to honor a father or grandpa). The meaning is "brave" or "industrious", and I can picture an Aymeric as a force to be reckoned with.

Joachim - Prince of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este
Actor Joaquin Phoenix uses the Spanish spelling, but Joachim makes the sound softer and more Biblical. The name would follow the Jacob-Joshua-Joseph pattern, but individualize it while keeping the nickname Joe. An excellent option!

Laetitia - Princess of Belgium, Archduchess of Austria-Este
Very light and happy, Laetitia means "gladness". The tia-ending keeps it feminine, while the ae-combination in the beginning makes it more exotic than Letitia. A little Laetitia would stand out in a crowd of Lily's, Layla's and Lucy's!

Are these names too foreign? Or are they usable here in the US?