Have you ever chosen a name you absolutely loved, only to be met with raised eyebrows and awkward silences? Scarlett Johansson knows exactly how that feels! The celebrated actress recently opened up about the story behind her son's unique name, Cosmo, and the reactions it provoked, during an appearance on "Jenna and Friends" with Jenna Bush Hager.
The conversation was sparked by podcaster Kylie Kelce's recent discussion about people who pass judgment on baby names, particularly the so-called "boy names" she chose for her daughters. This resonated with Johansson, who revealed that she and her husband, Colin Jost, deliberately kept Cosmo's name under wraps initially. Why? To avoid those cringe-worthy, strained facial expressions people make when they're trying to politely disguise their disapproval. Johansson hilariously mimicked the expression, perfectly capturing that moment of awkwardness many parents dread.
"When we named our son Cosmo, I actually didn’t tell anybody...I didn’t want any of the weird face," Johansson shared, demonstrating the exact expression she was trying to avoid. "You know when you tell somebody and they go like this, ‘Oh ... that’s ... that’s different.’" She emphasized the importance of keeping unsolicited opinions to yourself, stating, "Unless you like a name, you probably shouldn’t say anything about it. Nobody asked. It does not affect your life at all."
But here's where it gets interesting... While some reactions were less than enthusiastic, there was one person who absolutely adored the name: Johansson's mom! Apparently, her third-grade crush was named Cosmo, giving the moniker a special, sentimental meaning. This heartwarming anecdote highlights how personal and subjective name choices can be. And this is the part most people miss: names often carry hidden meanings and memories that are deeply significant to the parents.
Even Jost's mother had a slightly different perspective. According to Johansson, her mother-in-law, after a few days, commented, "Cosimo is a name I can find. That’s a recognizable name." Johansson's response was firm and playful: "We’re not going to just insert an ‘I.’ That’s what it is!" This exchange perfectly illustrates the delicate balance between respecting family traditions and asserting your own preferences as a parent.
Bush Hager chimed in with her own relatable story about her daughter Mila (M-I-L-A). After Mila's birth, Bush Hager's mother, Laura Bush, called, concerned that people in Texas were mispronouncing the name as "My-la." Laura Bush even suggested a different spelling! Bush Hager, however, stood her ground, declaring, "You want me to change the spelling of my child’s name, because in Texas, they’re mispronouncing her name as ‘My-la’? Let’s just let her be." This anecdote underscores the challenges of navigating regional pronunciations and sticking to your chosen name, regardless of external pressures.
For context, Bush Hager and her husband, Henry Hager, have three children: Margaret ("Mila"), who is 12; Poppy, 10; and Henry ("Hal"), 6. Johansson also has an 11-year-old daughter, Rose, with her ex-husband, journalist Romain Dauriac.
So, what do you think? Is it ever okay to criticize someone's baby name choice? Or should we all follow Scarlett Johansson's advice and keep our opinions to ourselves? What are some of the most unique or controversial names you've heard, and what were the reactions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
