A queen bed is called a queen because it is named after the queen-size mattress, which is larger than a full-size bed but smaller than a king-size bed. Since the 1950s, queen-size mattresses have gained popularity due to their large size, which makes them a comfortable and practical option for couples.  As a result of the bed's royal-sounding name, it became a symbol of royal status; it continues to be one of the world's most popular mattress sizes.