Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor: what is the origin of the name of the son of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Dukes of Sussex, revealed the name of their newborn son: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
The choice took by surprise those who bet on other names such as Alexander, Arthur or Albert.
"I don't think any of us were coming up with any of those names," said Joe Little, editor of Majesty magazine, which covers issues of British royalty.
According to Little, the name Archie has no connotation for British royalty.
Harrison is also a totally new name for the royal family.
Archie is a name of Germanic origin, it means "genuine", "bold" and "brave", and is more popular in the United Kingdom than in the United States.
The original name is Archibald and it was used in the Highlands of Scotland during the Middle Ages.
In 2017 Archie was ranked 18th among the most popular names for boys in England and Wales. That year, 2,803 children were named Archie.
Since 2003, Archie has remained in the top 50 most popular names.
Harrison, meanwhile, is also more common in the UK than in the US This name, which was originally used as a surname, means "son of Harry".
"It might be a name Meghan is familiar with and that's why they're using it," Little says.
"Archie has a more British touch, while Harrison is more American."
"They wanted to do something a little different, and they did."
Harry and Meghan decided not to use a royal title for their son.
Mister Archie
As the first-born of a duke, Archie could have assumed the title of Earl of Dumbarton, but will instead simply be known as Mister Archie (Master Archie, in English).
Jonny Dymond, the BBC's correspondent for royal affairs, said this election was "a strong indication that (the dukes) don't want to raise him as formal royalty."
Archie Harrison's last name is Mountbatten-Windsor.
In British royalty, descendants of the queen who use a royal title do not need a surname, but if they do need one, that surname is Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Mountbatten-Windsor surname first appeared in an official document on November 14, 1973, in the marriage certificate of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips.
Richard Fitzwilliams, a commentator on monarchy issues, said that the individualism displayed by Harry and Meghan in choosing non-traditional royal names was "wonderful" and could "rejuvenate the monarchy."
"It is a unique choice, by a unique couple who are doing things in a unique way."
