What does this name "prodigal child" mean?

it means a bad child who is still looked after and forgiven by his/her parent, read the New Testament parable

The answer by in_omnia_paratus is correct if you were asking about a “prodigy child”…however, you asked about the phrase “prodigal child”, which is different.

A Prodigal Child is a term for the preferential treatment of one child over a sibling. So yes, you are correct in saying it means “a favored child”.

Hope that helps.

a child that is a prodigy. a prodigy is somebody who is so naturally talented that it shocks the world. they are often on documentaries and having tests done on them etc to see what makes them so fabulous.

The child you are talking about is probably not an actual prodigy child. ‘Prodigy’ is often used as a sort of term of endearment. Like another way of saying the child is talented at something (though not a prodigy.). People miss-use the word a lot.

If you go on youtube and type in prodigy children, you can see videos of amazing kids painting outstanding pictures and 4 year olds playing beethoven on the piano. its quite incredible.