Meghan Markle's Baby-Naming Advice Comes Down To Not Doing One Crucial Thing

Becoming a parent comes with a whirlwind of choices, from strollers to diapers, but one of the hardest is deciding on a name. Whether you're combing through lists of unique picks or honoring a family tradition, there's bound to be outside noise, which is why Meghan Markle once shared a practical piece of advice: Don't ask for anyone's opinion. On an episode of her podcast, "Confessions of a Female Founder," Meghan explained, "I will say this to every woman in the world or every person in the world who's going to have a child — if you have an idea about what you are going to name that baby, you keep it so close to your heart, until that baby is born and it's named," she explained (via She Knows).

In the same conversation with SPANX founder Sara Blakely, Meghan compared selecting a baby name to securing a brand name that would have everyone on board, which the Duchess of Sussex experienced when she changed the name of her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard to As Ever.

For someone who had the public watching her every move, from analyzing Meghan Markle's stunning style transformation to wanting to step out looking like Meghan, with alternatives to her pricey shoes, the celebrity baby-naming backlash was something she knew all too well.

It was Meghan Markle's daughter's name, Princess Lilibet Diana, that sparked heavy debate after her arrival in June 2021. The name carried significance, as "Lilibet" was the childhood nickname of Queen Elizabeth II, and the middle name "Diana" was in honor of Prince Harry's mother, the late Princess Diana. But Meghan and Prince Harry faced public scrutiny over rumors that they had not properly consulted the queen about their decision. 

However, even though Meghan Markle was free from royal rules at the time, a representative for the couple cleared up any confusion, stating that Harry had spoken with his grandmother before the announcement and shared the couple's intention to honor her with the name. "The Duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement; in fact, his grandmother was the first family member he called. During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honor. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name," a spokesperson told People.

Meghan's experience emphasized her belief that outside advice can complicate a decision-making process already filled with emotion. While most parents may not have to contend with the world press speculating about their child's name, keeping it private until birth, as Meghan suggests, may simply allow parents to enjoy the process without second-guessing themselves.