User:John K/Naming conventions (names and titles)

This page is for proposed changes to the Wikipedia:Naming conventions (names and titles) page.

Monarchical titles

1. For monarchical names which are unambiguous, use first name and ordinal as the title of the article. Examples: Louis XIV, Edward VIII, Frederick William IV
2. For monarchs whose names are ambiguous with other monarchs of the same name, use parenthetical disambiguation based on the title held. Examples: Henry IV (King of France), Charles II (King of England), Philip IV (King of Spain).
3. Where there has only been one holder of a specific monarchical name in a state, the ordinal is used only when the ordinal was in official use. For example, Victoria (Queen of the United Kingdom), not Victoria I (Queen of the United Kingdom); Juan Carlos I, not Juan Carlos. The use of ordinals where there has been more than a single holder of a specific monarchical name is correct and appropriate. For example, William I (King of England), not William (King of England), as William II and William III hold the same monarchical name.
4. When disambiguating rulers use their most common title and the associated number. So, for example, use Frederick III (German Emperor) rather than Frederick I (German Emperor) or Frederick III (King of Prussia). When several titles are associated, it is proper and often desirable to give the others compensating prominence in the introduction. Rulers known by multiple titles should be added to disambiguation pages for all plausible search terms. So, for example, Charles IV (Holy Roman Emperor) and Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor) should also appear on the Charles I (disambiguation) page and Frederick III (German Emperor) also on the Frederick I (disambiguation) page. Where unambiguous, redirects should always be created for well known alternative titles. So, for example, James VII should redirect to James II (King of England). Disambiguated redirects, such as Charles I (King of Bohemia), may be created for ease of editing.
5. Do not apply an ordinal in an article title to a pretender, i.e., someone who has not reigned. For example, use Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou, not Louis XX when referring to the legitimist pretender to the French throne. A person may however be referred to if they have a title, for example, Victor Emmanuel, Prince of Naples for the last Italian Crown Prince. But he should not be referred to as Victor Emmanuel IV even though Italian royalists call him so. Where someone has a disputed title, for example, "Henry V" – whom French Legitimists believed became the real king of France in 1830 after Charles X and his son's abdications – could be referred to as such in the article. Alternatively a disambulation page could be created, redirecting enquiries about "Henry V" to the page where his biography exists, that is, Henri, comte de Chambord.
6. Former or deposed monarchs should be referred to by their previous monarchical title with the exception of those who are still alive and are most commonly referred to by a non-monarchial title; all former or deposed monarchs should revert to their previous monarchical title upon death; for example, Constantine II of Greece not ex-King Constantine II or Constantine Gluckberg, Edward VIII of the United Kingdom not the Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor, but Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha not Simeon II of Bulgaria.
7. No family or middle names, except where English speakers normally use them. No cognomens (nicknames) in article titles – they go in the first line of the article. (but see exception 3 below)
8. Make redirects from other plausible names that people might search for or link to, even if strictly incorrect. For example, Elizabeth II should have redirects from Elizabeth II of England, Elizabeth II of Great Britain, Elizabeth Windsor, Queen Elizabeth II etc.

Exceptions:

1. These conventions do not apply to Eastern and Polynesian civilizations. See also: Wikipedia:Manual of Style (China-related articles), Wikipedia:Manual of Style (Japan-related articles), Wikipedia:Manual of Style (Thailand-related articles).
2. If a monarch or prince is overwhelmingly known, in English, by a cognomen, it may be used, and there is then no need to disambiguate by adding Country. Examples: Alfred the Great, Charlemagne, Louis the Pious, Henry the Lion, Skanderbeg, etc...". But there must be consensus so strong that it would be surprising to omit the epithet; and the name must actually be unambiguous. For example, although Richard the Lionhearted is often used, Richard I is not unusual, so he is at Richard I (King of England); again, if two kings of different countries are both known in English as Name the Great (for example Louis the Greats of Hungary and France), do not use the epithet but disambiguate them by country (those two are at Louis I (King of Hungary) and Louis XIV).
3. Similarly, if a monarch or prince is overwhelmingly known by a surname, it may be used. Examples: John III Sobieski, Stefan Bathory.

Other royals

For royalty other than monarchs:

1. If they hold a princely substantive title, use "{first name}, {title}". Examples: Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, Felipe, Prince of Asturias.
2. If a prince(ss) holds a substantive title that is not princely (a peerage, for instance), use "Prince(ss) {first name}, {title}". Examples: Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. Numerals are not used. Example: Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, not "Prince Richard, 2nd Duke of Gloucester".
3. Use "Prince(ss) {first name} of ..." where a prince/ss has a territorial suffix by virtue of their parent's title, e.g., Prince William of Wales, Princess Beatrice of York, Prince Arthur of Connaught, etc.
4. Where they have no substantive title, use the form "{title} {name} of {country}," e.g., Princess Irene of Greece. Use only the highest prefix title the person ever held. Deceased queen consorts should not have a title mentioned, e.g., Anne of Denmark. Using royal titles for more junior royals will enable users to distinguish between royal consorts and others. A prefix title can be used only when it was held and used by the person. This means that roughly before the 17th century, prince/ss would not be prefixed automatically.
5. When dealing with a Crown Prince(ss) (however not consort) of a state, use the form "{name}, Crown Prince(ss) of {state}" unless there is a clear formal title awarded to a prince which defines their status as crown prince (e.g., 'Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark', but 'Charles, Prince of Wales', 'Felipe, Prince of Asturias', etc)
6. Do not use styles as part of a title of an article; e.g., Princess Irene of Greece not HRH Princess Irene of Greece.
7. Do not use 'surnames' in article names. Most royal families do not have or use surnames. Many that do have different personal surnames from the name of their Royal House. Only use surnames in article titles if this is how the royal is overwhelmingly known, which would normally be only in elective monarchies, like that of Poland. Example: Jakub Ludwik Sobieski
8. Past Queen Consorts are referred to by their pre-marital name or pre-marital title, not by their consort name, as without an ordinal (which they lack) it is difficult to distinguish various consorts; e.g., use Catherine of Aragon not Queen Catherine, as there have been many queen consorts called Catherine. This should also be the form followed for consorts of other sovereign rulers, such as Grand Dukes, reigning Dukes, reigning Princes, and so forth.
9. Existing Royal Consorts are referred to by their consort name, e.g., Queen Sofia of Spain. But when she dies, she will revert to her pre-marital title, ie, Sofia of Greece. As widow, some appropriate addition (usually announced by the country in question) will be amended to (such as Queen Dowager or Queen Mother), with the new Queen of Spain being referred to by the consort designation. The same rule applies to male royal consorts.
10. Use the most senior title received by a royal or noble personage. For example, George V (King of the United Kingdom) is referred to as such, not Prince George, Duke of York or George, Prince of Wales, his earlier titles.
11. When two individuals were known by the same name, use birth and death dates to disambiguate them. Examples: Prince Henry of Prussia (1726-1802), Prince Henry of Prussia (1862-1929)

The Russian Imperial House

1. Junior male dynasts of the Imperial House of Russia should be at the form "{Title Firstname Patronymic} of Russia". Examples: Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia, Prince Roman Petrovich of Russia.
2. The same form should be followed for women born into the family, unless they became the consorts of sovereign rulers of foreign countries. Examples: Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolayevna of Russia
3. Women born into the Romanov family who became sovereigns of foreign countries should be at the form "Name Patronymic of Russia". Examples: Anna Pavlovna of Russia, Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. [Possible exception: Grand Duchess Olga Nikolayevna, who became Queen Alexandra of Württemberg. I have no idea where she should go)
4. Empress-consorts of Russia, who usually changed their name upon conversion to orthodoxy, should use the form: "Russianname Patronymic (Birthname of Birthcountry)". Examples: Alexandra Fyodorovna (Charlotte of Prussia), Alexandra Fyodorovna (Alix of Hesse)
5. Non-Russian princesses who married into the imperial family should have the form "Title Russian Name Patronymic (Birthname of Birthcountry)". Examples: Grand Duchess Elisabeth Fyodorovna (Elisabeth of Hesse), Grand Duchess Olga Fyodorovna (Cecilie of Baden).