Thor or She-Ra? Bets are on for the new royal baby name
Bookmakers appear confident British royal couple William and Kate’s third child will be a girl
A girl named Alice? A boy named Thor? Within seconds of hearing that Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, had been admitted to hospital, social media erupted in celebration and speculation on Monday.
“My guess – Boy called Arthur or Jack,” wrote one user. Others were a little less traditional in their views and opinions. “I’m telling you, it’s going to called Thor or She-Ra #royalbaby #YouHeardItHereFirst.”
But in Britain, the correct prediction of #RoyalBaby3’s name may not only bring online applause. It can be worth real money.
Britain has long been home to one of the world’s most vibrant betting markets that faces fewer hurdles than the more regulated American gambling industry. Bookmakers here frequently give odds on all sorts of things happening or not happening, including Brexit, the likelihood of nuclear war or the name of the next pope, even though sports bets are still most common. Like many Britons, bookmakers tend to get most excited about one topic: the royal family.
As of Monday morning, London time, some of the names that ranked highest among British bookmakers were: Alice, Alexandra, Elizabeth, Victoria and May, in case the baby turns out to be the second girl. If it’s a boy, Arthur, Albert, Frederick, James and Philip appear to have the highest chances. Bookmakers already appear confident that it’s going to be a girl.