Bookmakers in the United Kingdom are leaning toward Alice as the name for the new royal baby, with odds on the moniker slashed to 4-1 last week after some heavy betting.
It could still be a toss-up, though, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have yet to confirm the gender of the baby. But many believe the child will be a girl because of all the pink
Kate Middleton has been wearing, according to People magazine.
One bookmaker has a five-figure payout on the line for a
girl named Alice, The Telegraph reported.
"Alice is the new favorite and we have seen a significant number of bets, particularly from the Tonbridge area — you have to think there is good reason for the gamble," Rupert Adams, a spokesman for British bookmakers William Hill, told the newspaper.
A group of 10 people in Tonbridge, Kent, reportedly made bets on the name Alice recently, with one person in particular putting up $500. If the royal baby does turn out to be a girl with that name, it could cost bookies an estimated $6,700, People noted.
Other names in the pool include Elizabeth (9-2), Charlotte (11-2), Victoria (12-1), Alexandra (14-1), and (Diana 16-1). As for boys' names, Arthur, Henry, and James all are at 20-1 odds.
Of course, the odds can be fickle, at best.
Just last week, Parade magazine reported that Elizabeth was the odds on favorite for the girls name and Alice was no better than the fourth-best choice while James, Philip, and Arthur were the top choices for boys' names.
While betting on royal baby's name is a favorite British past time, so is the due date. William Hill wagers are suggesting that the new royal could be born around April 21, according to The Telegraph.
"The Duchess is now on maternity leave and George could have a brother/sister within a month," a William Hill spokesman told he newspaper, putting the odds of April 19-22 at 14-1.
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