Eli5: Why monarchs have numbers in their names to keep them distinct, why can’t they have a different name?

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like why king xyz 2 and not some other name
?

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15 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Royal or not, most regions had until recently, or still do, naming traditions. They’re not necessarily binding but at the same time they solidify your connection and legacy with your family. An ancestor’s name has weight to it. Royals also generally have rules about what names they’re allowed to have and many times they change their name when they assume the throne. It reinforces their legitimacy through association with their predecessors, or the name has a symbolic meaning or religious significance.

I probably wouldn’t take a Queen named Kayleigh too seriously. (well I take no royals seriously tbh)

Anonymous 0 Comments

They sure can.

Chinese emperors are known by an unique name they select for their reign. For example, [Kangxi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangxi_Emperor) was actually born Aisin-Gioro Xuanye. In fact, year numbers are reset whenever a new emperor takes the reign, a practice that [continues today in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_era_name), so it’s practically important to not repeat the name of the reign.

In parallel, there’s a general [naming taboo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_taboo) against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons, so “Charles III” would not only not be honoring the previous Charleses, it would be considered grave disrespect.

So there’s no “why”, it’s just the culture.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Why not? Americans do the same. John Jnr II for example. They can have a different name if they want to, just as anyone can.

Anonymous 0 Comments

They do have different names. Charles III is Charles Philipp Arthur George. “Charles III” is just his regnal monicker; his legal name is distinct from all other Charleses who reigned in Britain so far.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Imagine when you have a child, having to go back through your family history and check all the names that have already been used so you don’t repeat any, because you can’t use the same name as any of your ancestors.

No, me neither.