Prince Louis Arthur Charles: What does the royal baby's name mean?

After four whole days of anticipation (it’s been a waiting game for royal fans across the globe), the name of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge‘s newborn son was finally revealed this morning.

The royal couple have named their third child Louis Arthur Charles, Kensington Palace revealed via Twitter and the newborn prince will be formally known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.

But the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s final decision may have come as a surprise to some, as Arthur was the nation’s bookmaker’s favourite.

From deep-rooted royal connections to its popularity across the UK, everything you need to know about Prince Louis of Cambridge’s name.

What does the name Louis mean?

According to nameberry.com, the name Louis is of German and French origin. The traditional moniker means ‘famous in battle’ or ‘famous warrior’. Fitting for a prince, huh?

How do you pronounce Louis?

For those unfamiliar with the name, it is pronounced ‘Loo-ee’ not ‘Lewis’.

Why did the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge name their third child, Louis?

First things first, it’s impossible to ignore the obvious family ties with the name Louis. The moniker is a popular choice for male members of the royal clan.

For instance, it is Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George’s middle name. Other members of the family who bear the name include the Duke of Cambridge’s uncle Prince Edward whose full name is Edward Antony Richard Louis while his daughter is called Lady Louise Windsor, a female interpretation of the moniker.

But fans of ‘The Crown’ may also note a subtle nod to Lord Louis Mountbatten. The Prince of Wales’ and his great-uncle maintained a strong bond throughout Charles’ childhood. So much so, that it is widely speculated that they have a greater connection than that of Charles and his father, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Sadly, Lord Mountbatten was assassinated by the IRA in 1979.

Despite its royal connotations, the name Louis also proves a more modern choice for the royal couple. SJ Strum, a baby name expert from ChannelMum, explained: “William and Kate have chosen a timeless and traditional name to complement their older children’s name choices.”

“The dutiful couple are mindful of their royal responsibilities and have selected a name which works on three levels – as a suitably grand Royal name, on the international stage as the new Prince will be known across the globe, and also a moniker which is already popular in playgrounds and matches their desire to give their children as ‘normal’ a childhood as possible.”

Is Louis a royal name?

When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are choosing their children’s names, it’s important to ensure that they will be approved by Queen Elizabeth II. And the moniker Louis is rooted in royal connections.

For instance, if you delve into the history books you will notice that a grand total of 17 Kings of France have taken the moniker. For example, there’s King Louis VIII who was dubbed ‘The Lion’. He reigned as King of England from 1216 until 1217. He later became King of France from 1223 to 1226.

There was also King Louis XIV, who was known as Louis the Great. He reigned as King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715.

How popular is the name Louis in the UK?

It was hardly surprising that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge opted for a traditional but popular name for their child.

According to a recent survey conducted by parenting website Emma’s Diary, George is predicted to be the fourth most popular name of 2018 while Charlotte comes in at number 13.

Currently, Louis is the 71st most popular moniker for a baby boy in England and Wales, ranking just behind the likes of Teddy, Harvey and Hugo. But if the ‘royal effect‘ is anything to go by, the Buckingham Palace-approved name is sure to steal a top spot in the coming months.

What does the name Arthur mean?

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also gave their third child the middle name, Arthur. But what does the moniker mean?

According to nameberry.com, Arthur is of Celtic origin and means ‘bear’. Punters will be pleased with the royal couple’s decision, as Arthur was a clear frontrunner in the betting stakes ahead of his birth.

What does the name Charles mean?

In tribute to his grandfather Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge decided to give their third child the middle name, Charles. But what does the royal moniker mean?

According to nameberry.com, like Louis it is of French and German origin. Meaning ‘free man’, the name has been used for everyone from Charles Dickens to previous kings of France, Spain and England.

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Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

How the Duchess of Cambridge’s royal births compare: From labour duration to must-have outfits

Prince William speaks out about his newborn son for the first time

Why Louis is likely to have the same ‘royal effect’ on baby names as George and Charlotte