Scarlett Johansson recently opened up about the mixed reactions she faced when choosing the name Cosmo for her four-year-old son with husband Colin Jost. The name has Greek origins, deriving from “kosmos,” which means “order.” Johansson acknowledged that naming their child Cosmo might raise some eyebrows, similar to other unique celebrity baby names like Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter Apple and Trisha Payton’s daughter Malibu Barbie.
During a recent appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends, Johansson shared her initial apprehension leading up to the announcement of their son’s name. “I actually didn’t tell anybody for that very reason,” she admitted, mentioning her concern about getting “weird faces” in response to the name. She reflected on the typical reaction of people who seem uncertain, saying, “You know when you tell someone they go like this, ‘Oh that’s…that’s different.’”
Fortunately, Johansson found support from her mother, who expressed affection for the name as she had fond memories associated with it. “My mom loved it, which was great,” said Johansson, who also has an 11-year-old daughter named Rose from a previous relationship. Her mother’s positive reaction was a relief amid the apprehensions.
In contrast, Jost’s mother struggled a bit more with the choice. Johansson recalled her mother-in-law’s response, where she pointed out the more traditional name Cosimo, expressing her desire for a name that felt more recognizable. Jost himself has touched on this topic, sharing on Late Night with Seth Meyers that although his family is generally supportive, his mother was initially baffled by the choice of Cosmo, expressing skepticism about its uniqueness.
However, it appears that Jost’s mother has adjusted, especially after meeting members of the Italian community who share the name Cosmo. “She started meeting various members of the Italian community who have a lot of Cosmo relatives,” Jost noted. This helped her embrace the name a bit more, demonstrating that initial hesitance can transform into acceptance over time.
In a world filled with unique names, it is not uncommon for parents to face mixed reviews. Yet, those who choose distinctive names can find joy in how, once the child arrives, the focus tends to shift from the name to the child themselves. Ultimately, as Johansson emphasized, the most important aspect is that parents love the name they choose for their child.