Girls learn from a young age that princesses are so very special — they get to wear frilly dresses and tiaras; they're prized and loved by all; and they get to marry only the handsomest and charming-est princes. At least in Disney movies and fairy tales, they do. But unlike the talking woodland animals and fairy godmothers that populate these stories, princesses actually exist IRL — even in our modern day.
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Looking toward royalty for a baby girl name ensures that she will have a name that is classic and beautiful. No royal would ever name a child something less than the best. Which means that the name is guaranteed to win admiration from baby girl's peers and teachers. Oh, and for the real-life duties of a royal lady? Well, they don't spend all day in a flouncy dress, waiting for an eligible suitor — they rule.
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Since she'll always be a little princess, why not grace a new daughter with a touch of royalty with one of these princess-inspired names? (One can even call her "HRH" for short!) Take a look at our favorite royal baby girl names — long may these ladies reign!
Kate
Okay, so, Kate's official title is "Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge," not actually Princess Kate. But seeing as how she is a commoner who married a prince (Prince William of England, to be exact), she definitely is deserving of the unofficial title, at least in our books. Kate chooses to shorten her name with the "K" spelling, but "Cate" is just as cute.
Ameera
Although Saudi Arabian princess Ameera bint Aidan bin Nayef Al-Taweel Al-Otaibi ("Ameera Al-Taweel" for short) has since divorced Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, she's carried on with princess-like philanthropic work. She's also spoken out for women's rights in her country and the world. Ameera is a lovely Arabic name, meaning, appropriately enough, "princess."
Mary Elizabeth
Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, is an Australian who met her hubby Crown Prince Frederik at a bar in Sydney. Imagine bumping into a random hottie at your local watering hole, and then finding yourself later walking down the aisle as his princess bride … Talk about a real life fairy-tale!Mary is a such a sweet traditional name, and when paired with Elizabeth, it's super feminine and classy. Princess-worthy, you might say.
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Charlene
Total babe and mom of twins Princess Charlene of Monaco is a former Olympic swimmer for South Africa. Her mission (after mommy duties) with The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is to "save lives by putting an end to drowning." A goal all moms can get behind. By the way, isn't "Char" an adorable nickname?
Siri
Super stylish fashion designer Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand is the daughter of Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. Her official name might be a bit of a mouthful for a baby — but what about Siri? Short but sweet with a singsong quality … Yep, this name's a definite winner.
Haya
Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan is a true princess by two counts: Her father was the King of Jordan, and she married the crown prince of Dubai. She's not just a (well) kept woman though — she graduated from Oxford University and is an accomplished equestrian. Haya is an Arabic name meaning "modesty" and "virtue." It's a prettier, more unexpected version of the name "Chastity," don't you think?
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Claire
Princess Claire of Luxembourg not only is married to a major hunk of a PILF Prince Felix, she also lives in the south of France at a winery that her family owns, where they're raising their darling baby girl, Princess Amalia. Maybe naming your little lady Claire will impart her with some of the princess's good fortune?
Sofia & Leonor
Princess Letizia of Spain ascended to Queen of Spain following the abdication of the throne by her husband King Felipe VI's father. Her two daughters, Leonor and Sofia, then officially became the princess of the Asturias and the Infant of Spain, respectively. Sofia is definitely a very popular name at the moment — but Leonor is a polished, noble name you don't hear too often. Either one could be a great fit for your little princess!
Victoria
Swedish Crown Princess Victoria's story sounds like unlikely rom-com movie plot. The royal meet-cute happened when Victoria attended a session at personal trainer Daniel Westling's gym. He was from the county — not groomed for society or royal life. Her father was "dead set against the relationship." But they stuck it out. (Daniel went to "Prince School" where he learned princely etiquette) and together they went on to live a storybook life. Now their daughter, cutie pie Princess Estelle, is the heir apparent and sister to little prince Oscar. Victoria is a name fitting for a headstrong princess — would it be a good fit for yours?
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Madeleine
Princess Madeleine of Sweden (known as "Len" by her friends) is Princess Victoria's younger sister. She lives in London with her family, where she can live day-to-day a little more anonymously — a good thing since, as she says, she's really "quite shy." Maddie is such a cute nickname for Madeleine — but "Len" is pretty cute, too!
Angela
Princess Angela of Liechtenstein is another princess with a fashion background. She went to Parsons in New York and even headed up her own fashion line before marrying Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein in 2000. The first person of African origin to marry into reigning European royalty, she walked down the aisle wearing a wedding dress of her design. Name your daughter Angela if you want her to take after this barrier-breaking princess!
Mako
Mako (pronounced MAH-ko) is both a Japanese name meaning "child of truth" and a Germanic name meaning "strength." "Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako of Akishino" is the full officially badass title of Japan's Princess Mako. The oldest daughter of the emperor, she holds a masters degree in museum studies and is a project researcher at the University Museum at Tokyo University. You've got to love royals who go their own way and follow their passions — especially when it's art, architecture, and scholarship they live for. What a great namesake for your little princess.
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Désirée
Under the Swedish constitution at the time, Princess Désirée of Sweden was forced to give up her royal title "Her Royal Highness" and place in the line of succession when she chose chose to marry a commoner. As a courtesy, the king gave her the title "Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld." Royal title or not, Désirée is such a pretty (and regal) name, don't you think?
Marie-Chantal
Born in London to an Ecuadorian and American couple, raised in Hong Kong and Paris, and married to the crown prince of Greece — it's no wonder that the lovely Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece has such a sophisticated, cosmopolitan name. The modern princess runs a children's clothing line and writes for its associated parenting blog. If you want to bless your baby with a French-sounding worldy name, add Marie-Chantal to your list.
Maria-Olympia
Princess Maria-Olympia is the daughter of Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, and is a princess of both Greece and Denmark through her father's side of the family. Prince Charles (of England) is her godfather and there were rumors floating that she was dating Prince Harry — that have since been denied. If hyphenated first names aren't your cup of tea, maybe Olympia would fit your little princess. It does mean the "home of the gods," after all.
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Keisha
California-born Keisha Omilana was a fashion designer fresh out of college when she casually filled in for a model at a runway show — and walked away with a modelling career. She became known as "The Pantene Girl" after becoming the first African-American model to appear in three consecutive commercials for the brand. Oh, and, by the way — she's married to Prince Kunle Omilana of Nigeria — making her a legit supermodel princess. Keisha is an African name meaning "favorite" — perfect for your little one.
Beatrice
Princess Beatrice of York is the granddaughter of the Queen of England and, following the birth of Princess Charlotte to Kate and William, seventh in line to the English throne. She was the butt of Internet memes about the hat she wore to Prince William and Kate's wedding — but she got the last laugh. She raised over 80K pounds for charity when she sold the hat on eBay. The name Beatrice means "happy" — perfect for a sweet baby girl.
Eugenie
Princess Eugenie of York, younger sister of Beatrice, definitely wins the competition for the coolest name. While the name looks like it might be pronounced like a feminine nickname for Eugene, it's actually pronounced "YOO-zhay-nee." However you pronounce it, it's super cute and chic, just like the younger Princess of York!
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Catharina-Amalia
Young Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands has a beautiful hyphenated name. Catharina is the Dutch and Swedish version of Catherine, while Amalia means "work of God" in Hebrew. Do you think when she gets older she'll choose the nickname Cate, Molly, or just Her Royal Highness? Either way, it's a princessly name for sure.
Zara
Daughter of Princess Royal Anne, Zara Phillips has a beautiful, chic name. It means "flower blossom" in Arabic and sounds like an edgier version of Sarah. Although she holds no official royal title, Zara Phillips is a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth. That's princess enough for us! Would you name your little lady Zara?
