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Why call a royal baby Alice? Purple Rain gets my vote Why call a royal baby Alice? Purple Rain gets my vote
(1 day later)
One of the most useful bits of advice for when you get pregnant is don’t tell anyone the names you are considering for your offspring. This is something that Kate and William, Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, are surely aware of, although there is probably a constitutional naming committee set up to advise the expectant royal parents. Apparently, bookies are already refusing bets that the girl (and we don’t know if it’s a girl yet) will be called Alice.One of the most useful bits of advice for when you get pregnant is don’t tell anyone the names you are considering for your offspring. This is something that Kate and William, Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, are surely aware of, although there is probably a constitutional naming committee set up to advise the expectant royal parents. Apparently, bookies are already refusing bets that the girl (and we don’t know if it’s a girl yet) will be called Alice.
As soon as you suggest possible names for the contents of your belly, everyone has an opinion. Everyone knows someone with that name, and that person was either absolutely fantastic or the worst person who ever lived. You will be informed of all the possible nicknames or taunts that they will be given by your pathologically unfunny acquaintances; “A Town Called Alice!” “Who The Fuck is Alice?!” “watch out for rabbit holes!”As soon as you suggest possible names for the contents of your belly, everyone has an opinion. Everyone knows someone with that name, and that person was either absolutely fantastic or the worst person who ever lived. You will be informed of all the possible nicknames or taunts that they will be given by your pathologically unfunny acquaintances; “A Town Called Alice!” “Who The Fuck is Alice?!” “watch out for rabbit holes!”
'She may try to change the world, like Alice Paul or Alice Walker''She may try to change the world, like Alice Paul or Alice Walker'
As well as not telling people your name preferences because of their inappropriate comments, you also don’t want them to “steal” your names. Plenty of pregnant families will be sadly returning back to their 100 Baby Names book to look for alternatives so that people don’t think they’re an ardent royalist (or inexplicably choosing the name Alice in the hope that hereditary wealth and power might rub off on their own progeny.)As well as not telling people your name preferences because of their inappropriate comments, you also don’t want them to “steal” your names. Plenty of pregnant families will be sadly returning back to their 100 Baby Names book to look for alternatives so that people don’t think they’re an ardent royalist (or inexplicably choosing the name Alice in the hope that hereditary wealth and power might rub off on their own progeny.)
Once the child exists and has a name, people are a little less openly judgmental. That is unless they are related to you, in which case you will be told for years about what a strange or terrible or damaging choice you have made. Parenting forums are filled with people dealing with the socially inept who cannot hide their disgust at a name choice. It is bad enough if you are not in a position where your brood are being born to rule over a nation. But if you are, you must choose an inoffensive name that works with “Princess” and “of Cambridge”. So no Princess Christmas Mini-Fridge of Cambridge (it is evidently hard to find names that rhyme with either, so they might be fine).Once the child exists and has a name, people are a little less openly judgmental. That is unless they are related to you, in which case you will be told for years about what a strange or terrible or damaging choice you have made. Parenting forums are filled with people dealing with the socially inept who cannot hide their disgust at a name choice. It is bad enough if you are not in a position where your brood are being born to rule over a nation. But if you are, you must choose an inoffensive name that works with “Princess” and “of Cambridge”. So no Princess Christmas Mini-Fridge of Cambridge (it is evidently hard to find names that rhyme with either, so they might be fine).
The royal foetus could not be given a name that is too radical or distinctive or that might be banned in certain countries. No Metallica of Cambridge (a refused name in Sweden) or Robocop (a no-no in Sonoro, Mexico) or Sex Fruit (quashed in New Zealand). And the regal couple can be thankful that they don’t live in the country of their great friends, the royal family of Saudi Arabia, where they wouldn’t be able to call their child Alice as it’s a banned name. The royal foetus could not be given a name that is too radical or distinctive or that might be banned in certain countries. No Metallica of Cambridge (a refused name in Sweden) or Robocop (a no-no in Sonora, Mexico) or Sex Fruit (quashed in New Zealand). And the regal couple can be thankful that they don’t live in the country of their great friends, the royal family of Saudi Arabia, where they wouldn’t be able to call their child Alice as it’s a banned name.
Related: New Zealand sees no Justice in quirky baby namesRelated: New Zealand sees no Justice in quirky baby names
Surely if your infant is destined to a life of minor royalty you should consider something interesting and unusual. Embrace nominative determinism and indeed join Katie Price by calling the little princess Princess – which has the bonus of being easy to remember. Prince Purple Rain would have some kudos. Little baby Khaleesi would be zeitgeisty and hint at the prospect of a royal with access to dragons and who might dramatically overthrow her brother.Surely if your infant is destined to a life of minor royalty you should consider something interesting and unusual. Embrace nominative determinism and indeed join Katie Price by calling the little princess Princess – which has the bonus of being easy to remember. Prince Purple Rain would have some kudos. Little baby Khaleesi would be zeitgeisty and hint at the prospect of a royal with access to dragons and who might dramatically overthrow her brother.
But when we have more chief executives or chairs of FTSE 100 companies called John or David than all the females on the list put together, maybe it’s better to have a moniker that will stand out amongst the privileged super-rich. A Princess Tuppence would keep standup comics in a job and would resonate in this time of austerity. Still, not to worry if they don’t go for Princess Elsa or Anna (merchandise already available); Alice is a lovely name. She may try to change the world like Alice Paul or Alice Walker. Or give us the fabulousness and official cool of Alice Glass from Crystal Castles. But let’s hope that they call the baby Alice regardless of whether it’s a boy or girl – after all, it works for Alice Cooper.But when we have more chief executives or chairs of FTSE 100 companies called John or David than all the females on the list put together, maybe it’s better to have a moniker that will stand out amongst the privileged super-rich. A Princess Tuppence would keep standup comics in a job and would resonate in this time of austerity. Still, not to worry if they don’t go for Princess Elsa or Anna (merchandise already available); Alice is a lovely name. She may try to change the world like Alice Paul or Alice Walker. Or give us the fabulousness and official cool of Alice Glass from Crystal Castles. But let’s hope that they call the baby Alice regardless of whether it’s a boy or girl – after all, it works for Alice Cooper.