You’d think after four kids, the internet would stop being surprised by what Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds name their offspring. But honestly? People are still kind of obsessed. Every time a new "Reynolds" baby arrives, the rumor mill starts churning at a speed that would make Gossip Girl herself dizzy. It's not just about the names themselves; it’s the way they’re revealed. It's the Taylor Swift connections. It’s the sheer refusal to follow standard Hollywood naming conventions like "Apple" or "North."
Basically, they keep it classic, but with a weirdly specific twist.
If you’re looking for the current roster, as of early 2026, the couple has four children: James, Inez, Betty, and Olin. That’s three girls and one boy. But the stories behind these names—and how we actually found out what they were—are where things get interesting.
The Mystery of James: Why a Boy’s Name?
When their first daughter was born back in December 2014, the world waited months for a name. When Ryan finally dropped it, people were confused. James? For a girl?
It wasn't just a "celebrity trend" thing, though. There was a real, emotional weight to it. James was named after Ryan’s father, James Chester Reynolds, who passed away shortly after the baby was born. Ryan has been pretty open about how much that meant to him. He told Good Morning Britain that in the spectrum of weird celebrity baby names, he didn't feel like they were "breaking new ground." He even joked that he didn't call her "Summer Squash Meadowlark."
James is now 11 years old. She’s the one you might hear at the beginning of Taylor Swift’s song "Gorgeous," chirping that iconic intro. It’s a family legacy thing, and honestly, it set the tone for all the names that followed: sentimental, slightly old-school, and definitely not "trendy" in the 2026 sense.
Inez: The Name Everyone Spells Wrong
Then came Inez in September 2016. She’s 9 now.
Here’s the thing—Blake is actually kind of protective over the spelling. She once had to clarify to People magazine that it’s Inez with a "z," not an "s." Apparently, the "Ines" spelling was everywhere, and it drove her a little crazy.
Inez is a Spanish variation of Agnes, meaning "pure" or "virginal," which is ironic because Ryan often jokes that Inez is the one with the "dark side." He’s mentioned in interviews that she’s super into villains—Gaston from Beauty and the Beast is her favorite. You've gotta love a kid who skips the princesses and goes straight for the guy with the ego.
The "Betty" Reveal and the Taylor Swift Factor
If you want to talk about blake lively kids names, you cannot ignore Taylor Swift. Period.
When their third daughter, Betty, was born in October 2019, Blake and Ryan didn’t say a word about her name for nearly a year. Then, Taylor Swift dropped her album Folklore. On the track "Betty," she famously used the names of all three of Blake’s daughters:
- "You heard the rumors from Inez..."
- "She said, 'James, get in, let’s drive'..."
- And, of course, the title itself: Betty.
Fans put two and two together immediately. It was a genius way to "announce" a name without ever having to give a formal statement. Betty, now 6, is named after Blake’s grandmother and aunt. Blake even used the name for her non-alcoholic mixer line, Betty Buzz, as a tribute to her father, Ernie Lively (who was born Ernest Brown Jr. but took the "Lively" name).
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Olin: The Surprise Son
For a long time, the Reynolds household was a girl-dad paradise. Then came baby number four in early 2023.
Again, they kept us in the dark for over a year. No name, no gender. We just knew the baby existed because of a Super Bowl post where Blake was noticeably no longer pregnant. It wasn't until the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine in July 2024 that Ryan finally shouted out his family from the stage.
"I want to thank my kids James, Inez, Betty, Olin, who are here," he said.
Olin. It’s a Nordic name, usually meaning "to inherit" or "ancestor's heir." It’s short, punchy, and fits the "vintage" vibe of the other kids perfectly. Shortly after the premiere, Ryan confirmed what many suspected: Olin is a boy. At 2 years old, he’s already got a pretty legendary godfather too—Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy.
Why These Names Actually Matter
Most people think celebrity names are just about being "different." With Blake and Ryan, it feels more like they’re building a family tree out of the names themselves.
They don't pick names based on what's topping the charts at the moment. They pick names that honor the people they've lost or the people who raised them. James for Ryan’s dad. Betty for Blake’s grandmother. It’s a way of keeping their family history alive in a very public-facing life.
What’s also interesting is how they’ve managed to turn "naming a baby" into a cultural event without actually being "influencer-y" about it. They don't do the "Big Reveal" video with the slow-motion confetti. They let their best friend (who happens to be the biggest pop star on the planet) do it in a song, or they mention it casually at a movie premiere.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Naming Journey
If you're looking at blake lively kids names for your own inspiration, there are a few "rules" you can steal from them:
- Gender-neutral isn't a fad. Using "James" for a girl was controversial in 2014, but in 2026, it’s basically a classic move. Don't be afraid of the "wrong" side of the baby name book.
- Look at the family tree, not the charts. The most meaningful names in their household come from grandparents and parents. It gives the name a story before the kid even has one.
- Check your spellings. If you go with a name like Inez, be prepared for people to mess it up. Decide early if you’re the type of person who wants to correct them or if you’ll just let it slide.
- Consistency is key. All four names—James, Inez, Betty, and Olin—feel like they belong together. They have a cohesive, slightly vintage, "cool-without-trying" aesthetic.
The Reynolds-Lively kids will likely grow up mostly out of the spotlight—Blake is famously fierce about paparazzi—but their names have already carved out a little niche in pop culture history. Whether it’s through a Taylor Swift bridge or a Ryan Reynolds monologue, those four names are officially part of the Hollywood canon.
Check out your own family history for "hidden" names that might have been forgotten. You might find a "Betty" or an "Olin" of your own waiting to be rediscovered.