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Baby names

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Original poster

Too royal?

36 replies

3xgirls · 11/01/2026 15:32

Hi, we have just found out we are having twin girls and starting to think of names. We have a 4 year old Camila and looking for thoughts on our potential girl names as I wonder if they are too royal family that it's a bit too much? I don't mind the royal family either way, but don't want it to sound silly!

Philippa
Zara
Kathryn
Elizabeth/Elspeth/Eliza

Any comments or alternatives would be appreciated!

Edited to move to baby names after posting in the wrong place by mistake

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Sparklesandspandexgallore · 13/01/2026 17:58

I wouldn’t think anything other than nice names if I heard the names Camilla and Zara. Maybe it’s because the Zaras and Camillas I know are older.

Mulledjuice · 13/01/2026 17:06

If I saw (or heard) Camila and Elspeth i wouldnt think Royal nut.

If I heard Camila Kathryn Eliza I would!

17caterpillars1mouse · 13/01/2026 17:04

Elspeth is a beautiful name (I'm definitely biased)

KarriTreeSullivan · 13/01/2026 16:35

I think perhaps with a Camilla already, if you then have an Elizabeth and a Kathryn (I know spelled differently) you'll get comments like, 'Are you going to try for a fourth and call it Diana?!'

Philippa and Zara are fine though or one of those with Elizabeth or Kathryn.

In my opinion of course.

Congratulations, 3 little girls! :)

BengalBangle · 12/01/2026 22:42

This is very outing, but I have twins called Victoria and Elizabeth, which probably makes people think I am a fan of the Royals!

Calliopespa · 12/01/2026 17:43

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 12/01/2026 16:49

If it's any help, my name and both my children's names have been used by the Royal Family dozens of times over the last millennium and it just isn't a talking point. They are all very well known names used by people from all walks of life.

I think though George and John, even Catherine and Elizabeth are more under the radar.

It's because names like Camilla and Zara are quite distinctive names for this generation of Royals.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 12/01/2026 16:49

If it's any help, my name and both my children's names have been used by the Royal Family dozens of times over the last millennium and it just isn't a talking point. They are all very well known names used by people from all walks of life.

Calliopespa · 12/01/2026 16:43

Sleepasaurus · 12/01/2026 13:28

Wrong or potentially Portuguese?

Show quote history

Either way, i'd pronounce it more like Cam-my-la. As opposed to Cam-Mill-a. Or Camel-a!🐫

Calliopespa · 12/01/2026 16:41

Moreteaandchocolate · 11/01/2026 17:05

Philippa and Eliza are a gorgeous combination and wouldn’t stand out as royal to me.

I agree. I don't really think of either Philippa or Eliza as Royal. Certainly I don't think of Elsbeth as royal.

Elizabeth is classic enough that you could almost get away with it, but Camilla and Zara or Catherine would have me thinking you had tried to create a royal name stable.

Sleepasaurus · 12/01/2026 13:28

Fends · 12/01/2026 13:24

Well Camila is already spelt wrong, so choosing a variation of Catherine won’t be any different.

Wrong or potentially Portuguese?

Fends · 12/01/2026 13:24

Well Camila is already spelt wrong, so choosing a variation of Catherine won’t be any different.

JanuaryJasmine · 12/01/2026 03:56

I'm suspecting this is just a wind up.

Pettenell · 12/01/2026 03:42

Like others, I think Zara is the most likely to draw a link with the royal family. Philippa and either Eliza or Elspeth are pretty safe, and make a lovely pair.

I would spell Katherine like this or Katharine. The Katharine spelling is one of my favourites, used by Katharine Hepburn.

Sarah
Helena
Beatrix
Adelaide
Bridget
Erica
Matilda
Edith
Flora
Frances
Francesca
Georgina
Georgia
Caroline
Theodora
Susannah
Eleanor
Leonora

Alexandrine · 12/01/2026 01:08

Zara is the only one I’d possibly link with the Royal family alongside Camila. As the Royals with those names are probably still the most famous Zara and Camil(l)a in the UK. But still, unless you are thinking of Diana or maybe Charlotte (obvious female variant of Charles) I don’t think any girls name is going to be giggle worthy with Camila.

Certainly there are plenty of other well known Philippa’s, Katherine’s (why the less well used Kathryn spelling?) and Elizabeth’s out there - no one will automatically think “Royal”.

Personally of all your picks I’d go for Philippa, as like Camil(l)a I think it’s a currently underused classic.

OVienna · 12/01/2026 00:55

I dont know anyone who gives enough thought to the royals that these names would be what would come to mind.

Maybe avoid Lilibet...

LighthouseLED · 11/01/2026 23:50

Sparklesandspandexgallore · 11/01/2026 21:37

All absolutely fine.
I doubt people comment on a William & George.
Or an Arthur & Henry, yet these are royal names.

True, but Camilla is a bit more unusual than any of those names, as is Zara.

I think OP would be fine with Philippa, Katherine (or variants) or Elizabeth - they aren’t so Royal “coded”.

user1492757084 · 11/01/2026 23:45

I love all your choices.
Royal names are really common; most families have loads of Catherines, Kates and Elizabeths. It doesn't stand out as a royal list.

My faves..
Camila and twins..

Elspeth and Zara
Philippa and Eliza
Elizabeth and Katherine

Oneforallandallforone · 11/01/2026 23:35

I would think you were a huge royal fan too.....

SkaneTos · 11/01/2026 23:32

Camila and Elspeth would not make me think of the royal family, because the spelling is so different.

user2848502016 · 11/01/2026 21:37

I think if you went for Katherine/Elizabeth I would think you were a massive royal family fan (they are lovely names, as is Camilla just they are quite royal used together!)
Philippa/Zara/Elspeth/Eliza I wouldn’t make the royal connection
I really like Camilla and Zara together

Sparklesandspandexgallore · 11/01/2026 21:37

All absolutely fine.
I doubt people comment on a William & George.
Or an Arthur & Henry, yet these are royal names.

Sleepasaurus · 11/01/2026 21:31

I love Elspeth/Eliza but would assume that you were huge royalists with the others.

Clara (not Zara) and Elspeth are nice together. Although two C’s?

I really love Alberta or Roberta.

zebrastripesarefun · 11/01/2026 21:23

My favourites are Zara and Kathryn. Lovely with Camilla

OttersMayHaveShifted · 11/01/2026 20:59

I like Camilla. Surely it's usually spelled with a double 'L' though?

Norastroud · 11/01/2026 20:55

Lovely names!
I wouldn’t think Royal Family at all,
Camila is a lovely name - my favourites from your list are Philippa & Elizabeth - Pippa & Eliza / Libby sound so sweet!

Congratulations!

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