The little prince’s name has been revealed! Is everyone else as surprised as I am?? I don’t remember seeing Louis listed as a possibility in any of the articles I read, and the French pronunciation is yet another unexpected bit! (Though adorable! I love the French pronunciation!) Edited to add: Turns out this pronunciation is not only French, but also an accepted English pronunciation and distinct from the French for those with discerning ears. According to Behind the Name, LWEE is the French pronunciation (I’ve also see loo-EE), and LOO-ee is one of the English pronunciations.

I’m very surprised by the re-use of Louis, as well as (though less so) a name in the Charles family. A straight copy of Prince George’s second middle as the new prince’s first name is so unexpected! Regarding the use of Charles after big sister Charlotte, I know several families who have this specific example in the first name spot — a Charles first name for a boy and a feminine Charles variant for his sister’s first name — and few people ever seem to really notice after a while (if ever, except us namiacs!), so really,  one child’s first name and one child’s second middle being the same isn’t that big a deal.

It’s kind of neat, really, that the new prince has one name shared by his brother (and dad) and one name shared by his sister — it’s a nice little connection between them all.

All in all, I love it! I love love love being surprised by names, so this was a really fun announcement the day after it seemed the name had accidentally been leaked (was the palace being cheeky, messing with those reporters? If so, I’m actually really impressed!).

Congratulations to Will (Prince William Arthur Philip Louis) and Kate (Catherine Elizabeth) and big sibs Prince George Alexander Louis and Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, and happy birthday Prince Louis Arthur Charles!

Great reads from the name world if you want to know more:

PRINCE LOUIS ARTHUR CHARLES OF CAMBRIDGE: A ROYAL NAME ANALYSIS by Elea at British Baby Names

Welcome Prince Louis Arthur Charles by Abby at Appellation Mountain

Royal Baby Name: It’s Louis Arthur Charles! by Linda at Nameberry

Prince Louis, and the Subtle Art of Traditional Naming by Laura at Baby Name Wizard

(Also, stay tuned — I’ll be posting a really fun baby name consultation later today! You won’t want to miss it!)

My book, Catholic Baby Names for Girls and Boys: Over 250 Ways to Honor Our Lady, is now available to order from ShopMercy.org, and should be available on Amazon soon!