:upscale()/2023/07/24/750/n/1922398/02e8ae6664beae13749501.30803383_.jpg)
So, everyone is obsessed with Rihanna. Obviously. But lately, the conversation isn't just about Fenty Beauty drops or when that mythical album is actually coming. It’s about the kids. Specifically, the names.
If you’ve been following the saga of Rihanna kids name choices, you know she and A$AP Rocky aren't exactly picking from the "Top 100 Most Popular" list at the local DMV. They’re doing things their way. Very "them."
We’re talking about a family where every single person’s name starts with the letter R. It's a whole aesthetic at this point. Robyn (Rihanna), Rakim (A$AP Rocky), and now their three little ones. Let’s get into the weeds of what these names actually mean and why they chose them.
The Firstborn: RZA Athelston Mayers
When their first son was born in May 2022, the internet basically went into a tailspin. We didn’t know his name for a full year. People were calling him "Baby Fenty" for months. Then, the birth certificate leaked, and later Rocky confirmed it: RZA Athelston Mayers.
It’s pronounced "Rizza."
👉 See also: Mara Wilson and Ben Shapiro: The Family Feud Most People Get Wrong
Most hip-hop heads caught the reference immediately. He’s named after the legendary RZA, the leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. Rocky has been vocal about how much Wu-Tang influenced him growing up in Harlem. Rihanna was even spotted wearing RZA vintage tees while she was pregnant—a total "Easter egg" that we all missed at the time.
The middle name, Athelston, is actually a hand-me-down. It’s Rocky’s middle name (his full name is Rakim Athelston Mayers). It’s an old English name that basically means "noble stone." Kinda heavy, right? But it grounds the more experimental first name.
Baby Number Two: Riot Rose Mayers
In August 2023, the family grew again. This time, they went with Riot Rose Mayers.
Now, "Riot" sounds aggressive on paper, but there’s a lot of layers here. Rocky had just released a track called "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe’n)" around the time he was born. Plus, Rihanna recently mentioned in an interview that Pharrell Williams—a close friend of the couple—actually suggested the name. Pharrell apparently thought they were having a girl and suggested Riot Rose. They loved it so much they kept it for their son.
✨ Don't miss: How Tall is Tim Curry? What Fans Often Get Wrong About the Legend's Height
And the "Rose" part? That’s reportedly because Rocky is obsessed with flowers. He likes having fresh ones in the house. It softens the "Riot" vibe perfectly.
The Newest Addition: Rocki Irish Mayers
The latest update to the family tree happened in September 2025. Rihanna and Rocky welcomed their first daughter, Rocki Irish Mayers.
This one feels deeply personal. Obviously, "Rocki" is a nod to her dad, but the "Irish" part is what got people talking. Rihanna’s father, Ronald Fenty, is part Irish (the surname Fenty actually has Irish/Scottish roots). By naming her daughter Rocki Irish, she’s literally weaving her heritage and her partner’s name into one.
Why the "R" Tradition Matters
It’s not just a gimmick. In many Caribbean and Black American households, alliterative naming is a way to create a strong family unit—a "brand" of sorts, but more intimate.
🔗 Read more: Brandi Love Explained: Why the Businesswoman and Adult Icon Still Matters in 2026
- Consistency: It links the kids to their parents (Robyn and Rakim) immediately.
- Legacy: Each name carries a piece of hip-hop history or family ancestry.
- Privacy: By choosing unique names, they’ve managed to control the narrative of their kids' lives, even when the paparazzi are constantly circling.
People often think these names are just about being "edgy," but if you look at the origins, they’re actually very sentimental. They aren't just picking words out of a hat; they’re picking titles.
What You Should Know About Naming Trends
If you're looking at Rihanna's choices for inspiration, there are a few things to keep in mind. These aren't just "celebrity names"; they represent a shift in how we think about identity.
- Honorary Naming is Back: Naming kids after mentors (like RZA) or friends (like Pharrell's suggestion) is becoming more common than just using "Grandpa’s name."
- Gender Fluidity: Riot and Rocki are names that don't strictly "belong" to one gender.
- Heritage Matters: Using names like Athelston or Irish shows that where you come from is just as important as where you're going.
Honestly, the way they've handled the public reveal of these names—waiting until they feel ready—is a masterclass in modern parenting under the spotlight. They’ve given their kids names that have "main character energy" before they can even walk.
To really understand the impact of these choices, keep an eye on how these names start appearing on birth registries in the next year. We saw it with "Blue" after Beyoncé, and we’re definitely seeing it now with the "R" dynasty.
If you are curious about the specific dates, RZA was born May 13, 2022; Riot arrived August 1, 2023; and Rocki was born September 13, 2025.
Check the birth dates against your own family tree—you might find some interesting zodiac overlaps. RZA is a Taurus, Riot is a Leo, and Rocki is a Virgo. That’s a lot of strong personality in one house.