What Does George Alexander Louis Mean? Why Kate Middleton And Prince William Named Royal Baby G.A.L.

The Prince of Cambridge finally has a name. Two days after his July 22 birth, parents Kate Middleton and Prince William announced their son would be called Prince George Alexander Louis. It’s a very grown-up name for the newborn, but a whole royal lineage is intertwined in the tot’s moniker.

One of the things that sets the royals a part from any other celebrity or public figure is that when it comes to naming their children a strong, traditional name can be expected. Before the royal baby was born, names like James, Alexander and Louis were all being thrown around as possible choices, which is quite different from the names showbiz celebrities giver their offspring these days.

Take Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, for example. It is Kardashian tradition to give the girls in the family a name that starts with a “K.” Since Kardashian is close with her mother Kris Jenner, who started the tradition when sister Kourtney was born in 1979, it was assumed she would follow suit. Names like Kaidence or even Khrist, which would be pronounced like “Christ," were rumored. But the starlet shocked the nation, and possibly the world, when she announced the name of her daughter was North West. To say the name didn’t get a warm reaction from the public would be an understatement.

It’s not just the reality star who came up with a wacky baby name. Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter Apple. Ashlee Simpson went with Bronx Mowgli, superstar Beyoncé chose Blue Ivy, and who could forget Sylvester Stallone, who named his son Sage Moonblood. These monikers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to celebrity names, but luckily the world has the royals, who were refreshingly traditional in naming their bundle of joy.

Continue reading for a breakdown of His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis’ name:

George:

George is historically a humble name that comes from ancient Greece and means “farmer” or “earth-worker.” In the 21th century, however, it all but oozes sophistication and since its modest beginnings has a become powerful name in Britain’s history. St. George is also the patron saint of England.

On a more personal note, King George VI (whose struggle with his stutter was depicted in "The King's Speech") was Queen Elizabeth II’s father, who died when she was only 26 years old. She was devastated by his sudden and untimely death and could only be thrilled Prince William and Middleton chose to name their son after his great-grandfather.

Alexander:

Alexander also has Greek origins. It’s the Latinized form of Alexandros which meant “defending men.” In Greek “alexo” means “to defend, help” and “aner” means man. No king of England has ever been named Alexander, but three medieval kings of Scotland were.

Louis:

Like George, the name Louis is also strongly tied to the royal family lineage, although there has never been a King Louis in England or Scotland. Louis is Prince William’s middle name. The Duke of Cambridge’s full name is: William Arthur Philip Louis. The name has a little more notoriety in France, where 18 of her kings were named Louis, one of whom was guillotined. Similar to Alexander, the meaning of Louis has to do with battle and means “famous warrior.”

After the child was named, a statement was issued to the public, which read:

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son George Alexander Louis,” the Palace statement read from the Clarence House Twitter account. “The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.”