James, Arthur among the contenders in the name guessing game for Britain's new royal baby

The baby boy is expected to be given three names, an expert says.

April 24, 2018, 8:42 AM

Now that we know Prince William and Princess Kate’s third child is a boy, the world is awaiting the name of the fifth in line to the British throne.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” William, 35, said to well-wishers gathered outside St. Mary’s Hospital in London Monday.

PHOTO: Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge leave the hospital with their newborn baby boy at the Lindo Wing, St Mary's Hospital, London, April 23, 2018.
Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge leave the hospital with their newborn baby boy at the Lindo Wing, St Mary's Hospital, London, April 23, 2018.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters

Royal watchers are not waiting for William and Kate to make a name announcement, instead placing their bets on names with royal significance.

PHOTO: Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, holds her newly-born son, her third child, as she and her husband Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge show him to the media outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital, April 23, 2018, in London.
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, holds her newly-born son, her third child, as she and her husband Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (unseen) show him to the media outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital, April 23, 2018, in London.
John Stillwell/AFP/Getty Images

“In terms of middle names, I think Philip is an absolute pretty rock hard certainty, if there is such a thing,” ABC News royal contributor Imogen Lloyd Webber told “GMA.” “Philip would be a lovely tribute to William’s grandfather.”

Prince Philip, 96, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, is the baby’s great-grandfather.

PHOTO: Britain's Prince Philip, in his role as Captain General, Royal Marines, attends a Parade to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge, on the Buckingham Palace Forecourt, in central London, Britain, Aug. 2, 2017.
Britain's Prince Philip, in his role as Captain General, Royal Marines, attends a Parade to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge, on the Buckingham Palace Forecourt, in central London, Britain, Aug. 2, 2017.
Hannah McKay/Reuters

The newborn is expected to have three names, according to Webber, following in the footsteps of his siblings, Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, who turns 3 next week.

PHOTO: Prince George, Prince William and Princess Charlotte outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, April 23, 2018, in London.
Prince George, Prince William and Princess Charlotte outside the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, April 23, 2018, in London.
Paul Marriott/Splash News

One of the names leading the speculation among royal watchers is James, the name of Kate’s brother, James Middleton.

Kate and William honored Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, when they named Charlotte in 2015.

PHOTO: In this file photo, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton and James Middleton attend Church, Dec. 25, 2016, in Bucklebury, Berkshire, U.K.
In this file photo, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton and James Middleton attend Church on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2016, in Bucklebury, Berkshire, U.K.
Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/Getty Images, FILE

Charlotte is Middleton’s middle name, and it is also the feminine version of Charles, William’s father’s name.

The couple honored Queen Elizabeth and William’s mother, the late Princess Diana, with Charlotte’s middle names, Elizabeth Diana.

In addition to James, the names Arthur, Albert, Philip and Henry are some of the most talked about contenders for the royal baby’s name.

PHOTO: Prince William and Kate depart the hospital with the new baby boy at the Lindo Wing in St Mary's Hospital, April 23, 2018, in London.
Prince William and Kate depart the hospital with the new baby boy at the Lindo Wing in St Mary's Hospital, April 23, 2018, in London.
Ian Jones/Allpix/Splash News

In 2013, the baby’s older brother, Prince George, was named after Queen Elizabeth’s beloved father, King George, who died when the queen was 26 years old.

William and Kate revealed George’s name -- George Alexander Louis – two days after his July 22, 2013, birth.

Charlotte’s name -- Charlotte Elizabeth Diana – was announced two days after her May 2, 2015, birth.

Prince William's full name is William Arthur Philip Louis. When William was born on June 21, 1982, his parents didn't reveal his name until one week later. William's father, Prince Charles, was a month old before his name was made public.

The new baby, who weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces at birth, is now fifth in line to the throne behind Prince Charles, William, George and Charlotte.

His official title will be His Royal Highness Prince [TBD Name] of Cambridge.

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