17 Celebrities Whose Kids Were Named After Fictional Characters
Celebrity baby names often come with extra flair, but some parents take it a step further by pulling inspiration straight from fictional worlds.
Beloved movies, TV shows, comics, books, and video games have all shaped names that feel bold, meaningful, and instantly recognizable to fans.
Some choices are subtle nods only true pop-culture experts catch, while others make the reference loud and proud.
1. Nicolas Cage – Son Kal-El Coppola Cage
Superman fans, assemble! Nicolas Cage took his comic book obsession to a whole new level when he named his son Kal-El, the Kryptonian birth name of the Man of Steel himself.
Born in 2005, Kal-El carries one of the most recognizable names in superhero history. Cage’s love for comics runs deep; he even took his stage surname from Marvel’s Luke Cage.
Talk about wearing your fandom on your sleeve, or in this case, on a birth certificate!
2. Kevin Smith – Daughter Harley Quinn Smith
When a filmmaker adores DC Comics as much as Kevin Smith does, you get a daughter named Harley Quinn.
Smith’s passion for comic culture is legendary, from his films to his podcast empire. Harley has embraced her unique name, even acting alongside her dad in several projects.
3. Robin Williams – Daughter Zelda Rae Williams
Princess Zelda from the iconic Nintendo game series inspired one of the most beloved celebrity baby names ever. Robin Williams, a self-proclaimed gaming enthusiast, named his daughter Zelda Rae in 1989.
The legendary comedian even appeared in commercials for the game alongside his daughter years later.
Zelda has grown into an accomplished actress and voice artist, carrying her legendary name with pride.
How’s that for a power-up in the naming department?
4. Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen – Daughter Briar Rose
Sleeping Beauty’s true name, Briar Rose, inspired this couple’s choice for their daughter born in 2014. Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen picked a name that sounds both classic and enchanted.
While Aurora is the more commonly known name for the Disney princess, Briar Rose is what she was called while hiding from Maleficent. The name carries a fairytale charm without being too obviously Disney.
Pretty magical, if you ask us!
5. Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson – Son Bronx Mowgli
Combining a New York borough with Rudyard Kipling’s jungle hero resulted in one unforgettable name.
Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson welcomed Bronx Mowgli in 2008, giving him a moniker that screams rock star meets literary classic.
Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves in The Jungle Book, represents adventure and resilience. Though the couple later divorced, Bronx has grown up embracing his distinctive name.
6. Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling – Daughter Esmeralda Amada
Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes chose the name of Disney’s most compassionate heroine for their firstborn.
Esmeralda, from The Hunchback of Notre Dame, represents kindness and courage in the face of injustice.
Born in 2014, Esmeralda Amada carries a name that’s both beautiful and meaningful. The middle name Amada means beloved in Spanish, honoring Mendes’s Cuban heritage.
7. Dwayne Johnson – Daughter Jasmine
The Rock brought some Disney magic home when he named his daughter after Aladdin’s fearless princess.
Jasmine Lia Johnson was born in 2015, joining Dwayne Johnson’s growing family.
Princess Jasmine is known for her independence and determination, qualities The Rock likely admires. Though Jasmine is also a common flower name, Johnson has confirmed the Disney connection.
8. Dwayne Johnson – Daughter Tiana
Double the Disney magic! Dwayne Johnson also has a daughter named Tiana, after the hardworking princess from The Princess and the Frog.
Born in 2018, Tiana Gia Johnson represents ambition and dreams coming true.
Princess Tiana was Disney’s first African-American princess, making the name especially meaningful. Johnson clearly has a soft spot for strong Disney heroines who teach valuable lessons.
Though can we talk about how The Rock basically created his own Disney princess squad at home?
9. Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict – Daughter Cairo Tiahna
Actress Tia Mowry honored Disney’s first Black princess through her daughter’s middle name. Cairo Tiahna Hardrict, born in 2018, carries a subtle tribute to Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog.
While Cairo references the Egyptian city, Tiahna clearly echoes both Tiana and her mother’s name. Mowry has spoken about the importance of representation and passing that pride to her children.
10. Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash – Son Rex
When Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash welcomed their son in 2019, they named him after Toy Story’s lovable dinosaur.
Rex, the anxious but adorable green T-Rex, became the inspiration for their little one’s name.
Solomon has been open about her love for Disney and Pixar films, making this choice totally on-brand. The name works perfectly as both a character reference and a strong standalone name.
11. Tom Fletcher and Giovanna Fletcher – Son Buzz
McFly musician Tom Fletcher and author Giovanna Fletcher launched their son’s name to infinity and beyond.
Buzz Michelangelo Fletcher, born in 2014, takes his first name from Toy Story’s space ranger hero, Buzz Lightyear.
Fletcher’s love for Disney and Pixar is well-documented, and he’s even written children’s books inspired by adventure stories.
12. Nicole Richie and Joel Madden – Son Sparrow
Ahoy, matey! Nicole Richie and Joel Madden gave their son a name with swashbuckling flair.
Sparrow James Midnight Madden, born in 2009, carries a name inspired partly by Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.
The full name reads like poetry mixed with rock and roll rebellion. While sparrows are also symbolic birds representing freedom and joy, the pirate connection is hard to ignore.
Though honestly, with a middle name like Midnight, this kid was destined for adventure!
13. Grimes – Daughter Exa Dark Sideræl
Leave it to Grimes to create the most futuristic name on this list. Her daughter’s name, Exa Dark Sideræl, includes a nod to Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings.
The spelling Sideræl combines sidereal (related to stars) with Galadriel, the powerful elven queen from Tolkien’s epic.
Born in 2021, the baby goes by the nickname Y, because of course she does.
14. Elon Musk and Shivon Zilis – Daughter Comet Azure
Video game culture meets celestial beauty in this name choice. Elon Musk and Shivon Zilis named their daughter Comet Azure, with Azure referencing a spell from the fantasy game Elden Ring.
Born in 2023, the name blends cosmic imagery with gaming fandom. Azure spells in Elden Ring represent powerful magic tied to the stars and glintstone sorcery.
15. Troian Bellisario and Patrick J. Adams – Daughter Aurora
Sleeping Beauty’s royal name got a modern makeover when Troian Bellisario and Patrick J. Adams chose it for their daughter.
Aurora Adams, born in 2018, shares her name with Disney’s classic princess.
Aurora means dawn in Latin, adding layers of meaning beyond the fairytale connection. The name has experienced a renaissance in recent years, blending vintage charm with contemporary appeal.
16. Liv Tyler – Son Sailor
Actress Liv Tyler sailed into creative territory when naming her son. Sailor Gene Gardner, born in 2015, carries a name linked to the character Sailor Ripley from the cult film Wild at Heart.
The 1990 David Lynch film featured Nicolas Cage as Sailor, a rebellious romantic with a wild heart. Tyler’s choice reflects her appreciation for offbeat cinema and unconventional names.
17. Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian – Son Rocky Thirteen
Knockout! Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian went with a champion’s name for their son.
Rocky Thirteen Barker, born in 2023, pays homage to Rocky Balboa, the underdog boxer who became a cultural icon.
The Rocky film series represents determination, grit, and never giving up against impossible odds. Adding Thirteen as a middle name brings Barker’s signature edgy style into the mix.
