As celebrity baby names took a turn for the intriguing in the early aughts, people became judgier about stars’ choices.
A lot of people who don’t understand/approve of unusual celebrity baby names feel like parents are unfairly positioning their kids to feel some type of way about their moniker at some point in their lives (though, tbh, who amongst us hasn’t?).
Here are some celebrity babies the masses were ~concerned~ about in the early aughts and how they’re doing today.
1.
Rocco Ritchie, son of Madonna and Guy Ritchie, was born in August 2000, with the Italian moniker seeming unusual to many fans of the Material Girl.
These days, Rocco, 22, is a model who’s pivoting toward art and using a pseudonym, Rhed, for his works.
2.
Jermajesty Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, was born in October 2000.
3.
Willow Camille Reign Smith was born to Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith on Halloween 2000, a name fans have since speculated is just a flip of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum.
Willow is still Willow, though she’s no longer a Smith after reportedly dropping her surname. She’s a talented artist and musician and proves she’s got the talent of her gene pool and the drive to dominate on her own terms.
4.
Tu Simone Morrow, born in April 2001, is the daughter of actor Rob Morrow and wife Debbon.
Tu, now 21, is chasing an acting career of her own, with a handful of credits under her belt so far.
5.
Kyd Miller Duchovny, son of David Duchovny and Tea Leoni, was born in June 2002.
Last June, David told Closer Weekly he was happy that, unlike sister West, Kyd, now 20, is not interested in acting.
6.
Poppy Honey Rosie Oliver, daughter of Jamie Oliver and Juliette “Jools” Norton, was born in March 2002.
7.
Talula Fyfe Dempsey, daughter of Patrick Dempsey and Jillian Fink, was born in February 2002.
8.
Audio Science Clayton, son of Shannyn Sossaman and Dallas Clayton, was born in May 2003.
9.
September of that year saw Jason Lee introduce son Pilot Inspektor, which people didn’t know what to make of.
10.
Rachel Griffiths and Andrew Taylor’s son, Banjo Patrick Taylor, was born in November 2003.
Banjo Patrick Taylor lives a private life today, occasionally making an appearance alongside mom.
11.
Apple Blythe Alison Martin, daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, broke the internet before breaking the internet was a thing when her biblically-inspired name was announced in May 2004.
Today, Apple is a model and a student, living her best life on the East Coast.
12.
Coco Riley Arquette’s name, inspired by mom Courteney Cox’s own moniker, was a major subject of conversation when she was born in June 2004.
13.
Moxie CrimeFighter Jillette, child of magician Penn Jillette and wife Emily, was born in June 2005.
During the pandemic, Moxie appeared with her dad on a few livestreams, but has lived an otherwise private life.
14.
Clementine Poppy De Vere Drummond, born in November 2004, is the daughter of Claudia Schiffer
15.
Makena Lei Gordon Carnahan, daughter of Helen Hunt and Matthew Carnahan, was born in May 2004
16.
Will Ferrell addressed the controversy around son Magnus Ferrell’s name in a 2006 interview with PEOPLE.
17.
Phinnaeus Walter Moder, son of Julia Roberts and Danny Moder, was born in November 2004.
What other celebrity baby names do you remember drawing controversy? What are some controversial names you’re into. Chat it up in the comments!
