Megan Markle spelt wrong: Why people spell Meghan Markle's name wrong
MEGHAN MARKLE is constantly in the news, as a new member of the Royal Family, her impending baby with husband Prince Harry and previous career as an actress. But why do people spell Meghan’s name wrong?
Meghan Markle: Fashion adviser had 'work cut out' says expert
Meghan’s name is unusual as the typical spelling is Megan, which could be where confusion around the Duchess’ name comes from.
The origins of the name Meghan stem from Wales, with Megan being a pet form of Marged, the Welsh cognate of Margaret (a pearl).
There are several variations of the name Megan, some of which are as follows - Meghan, Meagan, Megyn, Meaghan, Meaghen.
Shortened versions include Meg, Meggy, Maggie and more.
Read More: Meghan Markle nanny: Who will Meghan and Harry choose for nanny?
In the 1990s, the name Megan was one of the most popular names in the English-speaking world, reaching a peak in the US in 1990 and in the UK in 1999.
Another reason for confusion around Meghan’s name could be that her first name is not actually Meghan.
Meghan was born Rachel Meghan Markle - which is a coincidence given her character in legal TV drama Suits was called Rachel.
However, she is rarely known as Rachel with family and friends calling her Meghan.
The royal did once say how confusing this was for legal documents, having to explain the name she was known as is not the one on her identification.
A reporter once mistakenly called Meghan Rachel after her character during the red carpet at Evening with Suits at The Paley Centre in 2013.
The reporter apologised for getting confused and Meghan laughed and said: “Do you know my first name in real life is Rachel?
“I’ve never been called it, but my parents named me Rachel Meghan Markle and it’s just confused every legal document for my entire life.
“So you’ve just called me by my given name!”
Prince Harry is also not known by his first name, which shocked many fans during his wedding to Meghan.
Prince Harry’s full name is Prince Henry Charles Albert David, but the whole world knows him as Harry.
This may mean Meghan and Harry’s baby will not be known by his or her first name, but instead may have a nickname or want to be called by a middle name like his or her parents.