Charlotte Elizabeth Diana: The Meaning Behind the New Princess's Name

The Duke and Duchess of Camridge present their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Photo: Getty Images

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge have named their new daughter Charlotte, the recent favourite with the betting public.

The baby's middle names are Elizabeth, after the Queen and her baby's great-grandmother, and Diana, after William's late mother and the baby's grandmother.

The name Charlotte Elizabeth Diana is rich with meaning on both sides of the baby's family and also embodies a great deal of modern style.

Charlotte is a feminization of Charles, the name of the baby's grandfather the Prince of Wales, and may also be a nod to her maternal grandmother Carole Middleton, as Carole also relates to the name Charles. Charlotte is also the middle name of Pippa Middleton, the Duchess's sister.

A classic girl's name that's become increasingly popular in recent years, Charlotte is set to break into the U.S. top 10. Charlotte is currently No. 20 in England, 21 in Scotland and also in the top 50 in Wales, Germany and the Netherlands.

It takes its meaning "free man" from Charles.

Queen Charlotte was the cultivated wife of George III, who reigned during the time of the American Revolution and who also had a daughter named Charlotte.

Elizabeth is a Hebrew name meaning "pledged to God" and one of the most enduring female names in the Western World. A royal favourite, Elizabeth is of course the name of the reigning queen as well as of the queen's late mother. Elizabeth I was one of the most famous monarchs of England.

Elizabeth is also Duchess Catherine's middle name, as well as her mother's middle name. It ranks No. 10 in the U.S. and No. 37 in England, and is also among the top 100 girl's names in Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The baby's third name, Diana, is obviously a nod to the Prince's late mother. The mythological Diana was Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon.

Charlotte had been the recent favourite with the bookmakers for the royal baby girl name, pulling ahead of Alice. Most seemed certain that the reigning monarch's name, Elizabeth, would be in the mix somewhere.

Diana was a popular choice but there was much speculation around whether William and Catherine would choose a name with mixed associations to the royal family. But true to the couple's talent for sticking with tradition while also asserting their personal taste, they chose Diana as the baby's second middle name.

Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana has a total of three names, like her brother, Prince George Alexander Louis, a break from the more traditional four names given to royals. William's full name is William Arthur Philip Louis, while his brother is Henry Charles Albert David.

Kensington Palace announced that the baby will be known as HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

Nameberry.com actually predicted the name Charlotte Elizabeth Diana correctly on Canadian TV last night. For more baby name meanings and ideas, visit nameberry.com.