With the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, due to give birth next month, punters around the country have been placing bets on everything from the royal baby's gender to its hair colour. The latest guessing game is what Prince William and Kate's second child will be called – with Alice proving a popular choice.
Betfair Sportsbook was forced to slash the odds for Alice to 3/1 after receiving a flurry of bets. The bookmaker is currently seeing the traditional moniker Elizabeth ranked second at 5/1 with Princess Charlotte following behind at 11/2.
If William and Kate do decide to name their royal baby Alice, if she is indeed a Princess, they would be giving a nod to Queen Victoria's second daughter, Alice Maud Mary.
Punters are favouring the name Alice for Prince William and Kate's second child
The late royal was famous for her compassionate nature and relentless advocacy of women's rights – two qualities that would be encouraged in a modern monarch.
"Elizabeth had been the clear favourite until an unexpected rush of support for Alice over the last 24 hours and we've been forced to slash the price from 8/1 to 3/1," said Cormac Dowling, novelties and politics trader for Betfair.
Elizabeth would be an equally suitable namesake, after William's grandmother the Queen. Kate recently revealed that she is due in "mid-to-late April" and if she does give birth near the Queen's birthday on 21 April, it would make for an even more fitting choice.
Pregnant Kate revealed she is due in "mid-to-late April"
The reigning monarch's second names are Alexandra and Mary, so it may come as no surprise that Alexandra is the fifth most popular choice for a girl's name at 12/1, with Mary following behind at 14/1.
While William and Kate have not revealed the sex of their baby and are thought to be keeping it a surprise – much like they did with their firstborn Prince George – punters seem more eager to place bets on girls' names.
The most popular monikers for a boy are traditional regal names with Richard proving the front-runner at 10/1, followed by James at 12/1. Whether Kate would want to name her second child after her brother James Middleton is unknown.
Kate and William presented baby George to the nation one day after the Duchess gave birth
Regarding the royal baby's gender, the nation seems divided, with both male and female odds standing at 10/11.
Thursday, at 5/1, is the favourite for days Kate will give birth, while gamblers are backing that a blonde Prince or Princess will be born at 6/4.
Top 15 royal baby name bets:
Alice 3/1
Elizabeth 5/1
Charlotte 11/2
Richard 10/1
James 12/1
Victoria 12/1
Arthur 12/1
Alexandra 12/1
William 14/1
Charles 14/1
Diana 14/1
Philip 14/1
Catherine/Kate 14/1
Mary 14/1
Henry 16/1
