Royal Brides Names

Brides marrying into the Royal family brought in new names which often became very popular. Queen Alexandra was of Danish and German origin, and as Princess of Wales and Queen she was well loved, for her kindliness, beauty and charity work. Her name was used by other British royals, including Princess Alexandra of Kent. Prince Alfred's daughter, Bertie's niece, was named Alexandra and called Sandra. The Danish Alexandra was known in the family as Alix. The name became quite popular in the UK and has abbreviations such as Alex, Sandra, Lexi and Sandy. Another name from a foreign queen was Eleanor. Three medieval French princesses who married into the Royal family were called Eleanor and the name spread. Henry III's wife was an Eleanor and so was Edward I's first wife. There was also Eleanor of Aquitaine. It was used by many British Princesses and upper class women. Abbreviations include Ellie, and Nell. A much less popular name was the wife of Charles I, Henrietta Maria. Her name was so foreign sounding that she was known as Queen Mary, and her name was not much used. She was a deeply unpopular queen because of her Catholic French background. The name means Home ruler, and can be abbreviated to Hetty. Charlotte was a well liked name, which came into the Royal family via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. She was a homely woman, but she was queen for a very long time and the name became popular among the upper classes. It is the feminine of Charles which means man, and can be abbreviated to Charlie, or Lottie. At present, we have Princess Charlotte the daughter of Prince William whose name may derive from her grandfather, Charles. Henry VI, who had mental problems, was married to a French Princess, Margaret of Anjou, and that name became very popular. It has many abbreviations. There is Meg, Madge, Margot, Maggie, Greta, Peggy, and Daisy. Richard I married a princess from Navarre with the unusual name of Berengaria. She rarely visited England and had no children. Her name never took on. Richards's brother John married a French princess Isabelle of Angouleme... and that name was very popular. It is the Spanish version of Elizabeth and can be abbreviated as Izzie, Bell and Bella.