It took roughly 500 days for the world to even know his name. That’s a lifetime in the "look-at-me" era of social media, where most celebrity kids have an Instagram handle before they have a heartbeat. But Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively play a different game. When Olin Reynolds was born in February 2023, he was just "the fourth baby." No name. No gender reveal with blue confetti cannons. Just silence.
Honestly, that's why the obsession with Ryan Reynolds son is so intense. We're used to seeing Ryan’s every hilarious thought on X (formerly Twitter), but when it comes to Olin, the gates are locked tight. Or they were, until the summer of 2024.
The Big Reveal: Who is Olin Reynolds?
If you were watching the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere in New York City, you heard it first. Ryan stood on that stage, looking every bit the proud, exhausted dad, and thanked his family. He listed them out: James, Inez, Betty, and Olin.
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Wait. Olin.
The crowd blinked. The internet scrambled. Up until that point, the betting money was on another girl. After all, Ryan has spent years leaning into his "Girl Dad" brand, joking about being outnumbered by estrogen and wanting to avoid the "testosterone-heavy" chaos of a son. But Olin changed the math.
What’s in a name?
People spent weeks dissecting the choice. Is it a secret Taylor Swift lyric? Does it mean something in a dead language? Basically, Olin is a Nordic name. It means "ancestor’s heir" or "to inherit." It’s short, punchy, and fits perfectly with the vintage vibes of his sisters' names.
And no, before you ask, Taylor Swift didn't leak it on The Tortured Poets Department. Ryan joked on the Today show that they basically wait for Taylor to tell them what their kids are named, but they kept this one in the vault until the movie tour.
Why Olin’s Arrival Shifted the Dynamic
Having a son after three daughters is a big deal in any house, but for Ryan Reynolds, it’s a full-circle moment. He grew up as the youngest of four boys. He’s described his own childhood as a bit of a "war zone" of wrestling and flying elbows.
You’ve probably seen the headlines about his "soft parenting" approach lately. It’s a real shift. At the 2025 TIME100 Summit, Ryan talked about how he doesn't use the "drill sergeant" tactics he grew up with. With Olin and the girls, it’s about listening and self-awareness.
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"There's not a lot of yelling or punishments," Ryan said. He basically admitted he's trying to break the cycle of the "macho" upbringing he had.
It’s working. Or at least, it’s making for a very different household than the one he knew in Vancouver.
The "Green Lantern" Obsession
Here is the weirdest fact you’ll read today: Olin’s favorite movie is Green Lantern.
Yes. That Green Lantern. The 2011 box-office disaster that Ryan has spent the last decade roasting in every Deadpool movie. The movie that currently sits at a painful percentage on Rotten Tomatoes.
Apparently, two-year-old Olin watches it "every single day." Ryan joked at a CMO Council Summit in late 2025 that he has to walk past the TV and resist the urge to explain to his son exactly why the CGI suit was a mistake. But for Olin, it’s just Dad flying around in green light. There’s something kinda poetic about the kid loving the one movie his dad hates the most.
The Hollywood Godparents
If Olin ever needs a career boost, he’s set. His support system is basically a Hollywood Avengers squad:
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- Taylor Swift: She confirmed she's the godmother to all the Reynolds-Lively kids.
- Shawn Levy: The Deadpool & Wolverine director is Olin’s official godfather.
Shawn actually gave Olin his first "job." If you look at the credits for the latest Deadpool, Olin is listed as "Babypool." He didn't have any lines—obviously, he’s a toddler—but he’s technically a part of the MCU before he can even tie his own shoes.
Keeping a Son "Normal" in 2026
The most impressive thing about Ryan and Blake isn't their movies. It’s that you still don't know what Olin looks like. They are famously protective.
They don't do red carpet walks with the kids. They don't sell "first photos" to magazines. Blake has been very vocal about the "creepy" nature of paparazzi lurking outside their home. She once posted her own pregnancy photos just to devalue the "bounty" on her head from the photographers.
Because of that, Olin is growing up in a bit of a bubble. He’s the son of a guy who owns a gin company, a soccer team (Wrexham AFC), and a film studio, yet he’s probably more concerned with Paw Patrol or why he can't eat a crayon.
What This Means for the "Reynolds Brand"
Ryan used to be the guy who made jokes about his kids being "psychopaths" on Twitter. It was hilarious because it felt real. But as Olin grows up, the tone has softened.
He’s talked more about the "mental health" side of fatherhood. He’s mentioned how he wants his son to feel okay being vulnerable—something Ryan struggled with as a kid. He’s even used his platform to help other dads, like John Bell, who lost his son to suicide. Ryan actually used the reveal of Olin’s gender to connect with John, showing that having a son made the story hit even closer to home.
Final Takeaways on Olin Reynolds
Olin isn't just "Ryan Reynolds son." He’s the first boy in a family of girls, the "Babypool" of the Marvel universe, and the only person on earth who actually likes the Green Lantern movie.
If you're following the family's journey, here is what you should actually keep an eye on:
- The Wrexham Connection: Don't be surprised if Olin is spotted at a match in Wales soon. Ryan is obsessed with the community there.
- The "Soft Parenting" Evolution: Watch for Ryan to talk more about raising a boy in a way that differs from the "tough guy" 80s era.
- The Godfather Influence: With Shawn Levy as a mentor, Olin might be behind a camera sooner than you think.
The Reynolds-Lively household is chaotic, sure. But Olin seems to be the final piece of the puzzle that turned "Girl Dad Ryan" into "Family Man Ryan."
To keep up with the family's updates without falling for the tabloid clickbait, follow Ryan’s official accounts on Instagram or check for updates from Wrexham AFC, where the family often makes their most authentic, unscripted appearances.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Check the official Deadpool & Wolverine credits for the "Babypool" Easter egg.
- Look into the Walking 4 Hope charity, which Ryan supported during his son's gender reveal.