The name James also carries royal baggage, having been the name of several kings of both England and Scotland. Most famous of the Jameses were those from the House of Stuart, who ruled England and Ireland as James I and II, while simultaneously ruling Scotland as James VI and VII. The Stuart kings were unpopular in England, as they were Roman Catholic and suspected of cavorting with the French. James II was the last Catholic monarch of Britain – he was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689.
William and Kate, however, have a more personal attachment to the name: Kate’s younger brother’s name is James. This has probably led to the increased betting on the name.
