Here's Everything to Know About Baby Sussex's Name

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry posed with baby before the name reveal
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted May 8, 2019 7:01 AM CDT
Updated May 8, 2019 1:25 PM CDT
Harry, Meghan Reveal Baby but Don't Spill All
Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are seen with their newborn son in St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.   (Dominic Lipinski/Pool via AP)

Baby Sussex has made his debut, and hours later came the name: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The AP reports that's his full name—meaning Archie isn't short for Archibald. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed their son to the public on Wednesday, with the trio posing for cameras at Windsor Castle. Meghan described motherhood as "magic" and said her son had "the sweetest temperament," per the AP. "I have the two best guys in the world, so I'm really happy," she added, per CNN. Harry, who held the sleeping 2-day-old, was asked who the child took after. "His looks are changing every single day, so who knows?" he replied. The newborn, who is Queen Elizabeth's eighth great-grandchild, met the monarch Wednesday. The child is seventh in line to the throne. Here's all the interesting stuff to know about Archie's name:

  • The BBC describes it as an unexpected choice. Bets were on Alexander, Arthur, or Albert. Time notes no past member of the British royal family has had the name.
  • Harrison isn't a name that's been used by the royals, but it has a royal connection: It literally means "son of Harry" or "son of Henry." People points out both cases work, as Harry's full name is Henry Charles Albert David.

  • The child' surname, Mountbatten-Windsor, is the one bestowed on all descendants of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
  • Archie is a vastly more popular name in the UK than the US. In 2017 it was No. 18 on the charts in England and Wales; it's been in the top 50 there since 2003. The meaning of the name: "genuine," "bold," or "brave."
  • Time reports it's unusual that the child has just two names. Prince William and Kate's children each have three, and Princes Harry and William have four; the names generally honored other members of the royal family.
  • As the firstborn son of a duke, he could have been given the title Earl of Dumbarton. He apparently wasn't, meaning he'll be called Master Archie.
  • Newsweek's take on that last point: It appears Harry and Meghan want to "give him an upbringing as 'normal' as possible—similar to Zara Anne Elizabeth Tindall, the child of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips."
(More Prince Harry stories.)

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