Once again, Britain is expecting a new prince or princess to mainly obsess over. And once again, we're all wondering what the royal family will name its youngest member.
Luckily, the Internet is way ahead of us. Betting sites PaddyPower and Ladbrokes -- who last year correctly predicted "George" -- have their predictions already mapped out. On both sites, "Elizabeth" is a strong favorite for a girl, chosen after Prince William's grandmother. According to Linda Rosenkrantz at Nameberry, it's pretty conceivable at the very least as a middle name, if not a first.
"The Brits are fond of nicknames," she told The Huffington Post, "and Elizabeth has a raft of choices."
Here are a few other leading choices, based on the current top bets. (Game of Thrones fans should note that "Joffrey" is ranked, unsurprisingly, 1000:1 by PaddyPower.)
Odds: 10:1 (PaddyPower) and 8:1 (Ladbrokes)
This top choice would be shared with the future royal's great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, paternal great-great-grandmother, the beloved Queen Mother, and maternal great-great-grandmother. Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, ruled for 45 years as one of England's most successful leaders.
Odds: 10:1 (PaddyPower) and 8:1 (Ladbrokes)
The long-reigning Queen Victoria oversaw much of Britain's transition into a constitutional monarchy and helped expand the empire, giving rise to the popular saying, "the sun never sets on the British monarchy." Her name, Rosenkrantz noted, "has the appeal of being a classic, yet with a modern vibe."
Odds: 10:1 (PaddyPower) and 12:1 (Ladbrokes)
Queen Mary was crowned in 1911 as the wife of King George V, and it's long been a royal favorite, Rosenkrantz said. Of course, this moniker also holds an association with "Bloody Mary," the 16th-century queen whose executions of Protestants made her wildly unpopular. (But it's also a great sleepover game.)
Other top choices: (12:1, 20:1), (12:1, 16:1), (14:1, 16:1), (25:1, 12:1), (14:1)
Odds: 14:1 (PaddyPower) and 6:1 (Ladbrokes)
Two English and a bunch of Scottish kings have gone by this name over the centuries, giving it strong ties to the royal family. It's also Kate's brother's name. But in 2013 a royal family insider stated that, if chosen, this name would reference the royal House of Stuarts, not a non-royal uncle.
Odds: 10:1 (PaddyPower) and 20:1 (Ladbrokes)
This choice would honor William's grandfather, Prince Philip, husband of Elizabeth II. Philip and his wife are both descendants of Queen Victoria. But there's never been a monarch named Philip, Rosenkrantz noted, so despite favorable odds this choice seems unlikely.
Odds: 12:1 (PaddyPower) and 8:1 (Ladbrokes)
Most notably of "knights of the round table" fame, "Arthur" is also currently enjoying popularity in contemporary Britain. Its ties to chivalry and royalty -- Queen Victoria had a son and grandson with the name -- make it a strong contender.
Other top choices: (12:1, 10:1), (12:1, 14:1), (14:1), (not ranked, 10:1), (20:1)
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.