Have you ever heard a name called out and instantly pictured a life of privilege? According to high society experts at Tatler, certain monikers are a dead giveaway for generational wealth and aristocratic connections.
The Greek God Test: A Sign of Private Schooling?
If your name is inspired by Greek mythology, you might be carrying an invisible badge of honour. Names like Athena, Aurelia, Atlas, Persephone, or Cassandra have long been associated with prestige. While some, like Athena, have grown in general popularity, their elite status was cemented in January 2025 when Princess Beatrice welcomed her second daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose. The Danish royal family also boasts a Princess Athena, reinforcing the link between these classical names and high birth.
As the article wryly notes, if you meet a Hades on a night out, you can safely assume they likely 'summer in the South of France'.
Nature's Whimsy: From Iris to Kaia Moon
Another hallmark of a posh name is a direct link to the natural world. Think flowers, seasons, and celestial bodies. Celebrities and socialites have led this trend: actress Iris Law (daughter of Jude Law and Sadie Frost) and Apple (daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin) are prime examples.
Other names in this whimsical category include Rose, Star, Autumn, and Rain. The trend continues with model Poppy Delevingne, who recently named her daughter Kaia Moon—a moniker described as 'astonishingly posh'.
The Shakespearean Seal of Approval
Finally, a name drawn from the works of William Shakespeare is a strong indicator of aristocratic leanings. While Ophelia and Othello represent the more extreme end, names like Olivia, Juliet, and Orlando have been popularised by the Bard and adopted by the elite.
Royal connections abound here too. Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, daughter of the Marquess of Milford Haven, named her second child Auberon, an ode to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Meanwhile, Romeo Beckham shows how celebrities have modernised these historic choices.
The original article, published and updated on December 5, 2025, serves as a light-hearted guide to the sociology of naming. It concludes with an important caveat: while this is a fun exercise, prejudice based on names in matters of race or true class discrimination is no laughing matter. But if you do happen to bump into a Snowflake or Poseidon on the high street, you might just be in elevated company.
