What did Kate Middleton really want to name Prince George? New book reveals baby naming saga

Naming a baby is a big deal for any parent, but when that child is destined for the throne, it turns into a mix of family tributes, history lessons, and a dash of fun.

Prince William and Kate Middleton faced this joyful pressure in 2013 with their firstborn, turning baby name chats into marathon sessions full of laughs and debates. Royals have long chosen names that reflect past kings, queens, and loved ones, creating impressions that weave through generations.

These stories from the House of Windsor are similar to any other household, showing the turmoil of naming a newborn. They show William and Kate as regular new parents amid the spotlight.

As their kids grow, with George now 12 and Charlotte and Louis not far behind, little information from insiders keeps fans hooked on the "what might have been."

The baby name hunt begins

William and Kate welcomed son George Alexander Louis on July 22, 2013, third in line to the throne. But settling on his name wasn't quick; the couple "spent hours" flipping through a baby name book gifted by a close friend, often laughing over wild ideas, writes royal editor Russell Myers in William and Catherine, The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story. They skipped learning the baby's sex beforehand, adding surprise to the mix, per BBC reports.

Kate Middleton had already set her heart on a name!

Kate, then 31, "had her heart set on Alexander for a boy or Alexandra, also Queen Elizabeth's middle name, for a girl," Myers reveals in excerpts from The Mirror. William, 31 at the time, secretly hoped for a girl to honor his late mum, Princess Diana, maybe as a middle name. "Catherine had her heart set on Alexander for a boy or Alexandra... William had privately voiced his preference for having a girl and was keen to incorporate a tribute to his late mother," Myers notes.

William playfully pranked the press

To lighten things, William trolled his press team in meetings. "What do you think about Rodney for a boy, or maybe Graham?" he'd quip, then burst out laughing at their shock, per Myers. Kate bounced ideas off mom friends too, seeking real-talk input.

What does Prince George's name mean?

Eventually, they narrowed the boys' names to George and Louis. George honors King George VI, the Queen’s dad, who steered Britain through WWII. Alexander nods to the Queen; Louis to Lord Mountbatten (Prince Philip's uncle, killed by the IRA in 1979) and William's own middle name.

The family came down to a thoughtful selection of names

Their family rounded out with George Alexander Louis, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana (where Diana is for William's mum), and Louis Arthur Charles. Each name layers royal history with personal touches.