Queen Victoria or King James: people's choice for royal baby

12% of the 1,800 people last week opted for Victoria as a girl's name, with 19% choosing James for a boy: YouGov

As Britain waits with bated breath for the arrival of Prince William and Kate Middleton's first child, a poll has revealed that Victoria and James are the most favoured names for the royal baby among the public.

 

If the Duchess of Cambridge gives birth to a girl, the most popular name with the public is Victoria.

 

If the third in line to the throne is a boy, however, then James is the favoured name for the new prince, according to a poll for 'The Sunday Times'.

 

12% of the 1,800 people surveyed by YouGov last week opted for Victoria as a girl's name, with 19% choosing James for a boy.

 

The name Victoria has a rich royal pedigree. Queen Victoria, one of Britain's most revered monarchs, reigned from 1837 until 1901, Victoria was also her mother's name.

 

James I reigned as King of England from 1603 to his death in 1625 (and as King James VI of Scotland from 1567), and survived the 'Gunpowder Plot' to kill him at the Palace of Westminster.

 

James was the eighth most popular name for baby boys born in England and Wales in 2011. Victoria failed to make the top 100 for girls.

 

The second-most popular name for a princess was Diana, after William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, followed by Grace, Elizabeth and Charlotte.

 

The second-most popular male name was George, with 13% backing it, followed by Oliver, Thomas and Jacob joint third with 4% each.

 

Bookmaker Paddy Power gives James odds of 12-1 and Victoria odds of 10-1. It is to be hoped that none of the 500-1 long shots with other bookies is chosen by the royal couple they include Hashtag and Pocahontas.