Royal first names; why so many?

Question

Charles Philip Arthur George -- Prince of Wales

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary -- Queen of the United Kingdom

Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna -- Marie Antoinette

Leopold Maximilian Joseph Maria Arnulf -- Prince of Bavaria

What is the significance of all these names (Confirmation names? How many middle names does one need?) ; and is there a method to the madness?

Answer 1

Two theories exist;

Theory 1

They are references to other people. In the case of Prince Chalres, his father is Prince Philip, his Grandfather was King George V, and the reference to Arthur is Medieval.

In the case of the Queen, Alexandra may refer to Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII, and Mary may refer to Queen Mary, wife of George V.

Theory 2

Their parents just liked the names.

I don't know about Marie Antoinette or Leopold of Bavaria.

(Would you be refering to the madness of naming a King "George"?)

Answer 2

In addition to Vitruviu's fine answer, I'd like to add another reason:  A royal heir to the throne can more readily select the name he or she wishes to be called by when crowned king or queen from many different choices: For instance, Edward VIII (r. 1936), who gave up his throne for the woman he loved, was called "David" by family members, but his full name was Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David--the last four names honoring the patron saints of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales respectively.  Similarly, George VI, who succeeded him, was "Bertie" to the family, but was officially Albert Frederick Arthur George.  Using these two kings as precedent, I would guess that Prince Charles will take the name George VII, honoring his grandfather.  Curiously, Princess Margaret, who wasn't in the running for Queen, has only one middle name, Rose.

P. S.  Then again, the British upper classes are simply fond of taking multiple middle names, for instance, J. R. R. [John Ronald Reuel] Tolkien.  This love for several middle names is quite common among the peerage; for example, there's John Michael Edward Seymour, 19th Duke of Somerset, Hugh Denis Charles FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton,  Andrew Ian Henry Russell, 15th Duke of Bedford, Peregrine Andrew Mornington Cavendish, 12th Duke of Devonshire, and John  George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough, to mention a few aristocrats with at least three multiple middle names.

Answer 3

It's a tradition and a way to honor family members of the past.

Charles was named after his father,Philip,and grand-father and great-grandfather,King George V and VI.

Elizabeth's names honor Elizabeth I,her mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon,her grandmother,Queen Mary,and another ancestor,Queen Alexandra,an ancestor she and Philip hold in common.

Answer 4

It's an antropological quirk

Answer 5

They're brought with the 66p they get off our taxes

Answer 6

We're related to many people, of course!

Answer 7

i dont know but ill be cool

to have all that names :)

and more cooler been a queen (;

Answer 8

The idea of having four names doesn't seem ancient. George V is the first one that I can see to have four names. George I and George II only had two names.

Answer 9

It sure beats calling someone Bubba.

Answer 10

many are family names    just like we all do

as many males in the usa have jr  or sr after their names   to give some grounding and to honour grandparents   ect