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Royal baby: George, Alexander, James top punters' name picks

Prince George would delight northern B.C. city, but Edward would be Maritime favourite
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King George VI – the last monarch with the name George – served during the Second World War and had secret vocal lessons to battle a stammering problem.

Will it be George, Alexander, James or Louis?

Those are the names attracting the most bets from punters on at least one British online gambling site after today's announcement that the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a boy.

The royal baby has been the focus of intense speculation for weeks leading up to the birth and has now spawned baby name pools at numerous workplaces.

George, the 9-4 favourite as of Monday afternoon, would be a particular delight to residents of Prince George, B.C.

And if the newborn prince eventually ascends to the throne he would be King George VII. The previous King George VI famously took the throne on the eve of the Second World War after the abdication of his brother and reigned until 1952, when Elizabeth II was crowned. The Oscar-winning movie The King's Speech portrayed George VI's struggle with stammering as he gave critical wartime speeches.

George would also bring a smile and a hope for a future visit to Surrey royal watchers who live near the city's King George Boulevard.

Prince 'Edward' – think PEI – would likely be welcomed nationally, but has more distant 25-1 odds, with the likes of Spencer, Benjamin, Alfred and Richard.

More distant 50-1 longshots or worse are Francis, Harry, Patrick, Luke, Leo and Samuel.

The eight-pound six-ounce royal baby was pronounced healthy at 4:24 p.m. London time at St. Mary's Hospital.

For astrology watchers, the new prince and probable future king is, appropriately, a Leo.