Scarlett Johansson Reveals Mother-in-Law Tried to Change Son’s Unique Name “Cosmo”

 

Choosing a baby name is a deeply personal decision, but even celebrities aren’t immune to criticism. Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson recently opened up about the unexpected backlash she faced after naming her son Cosmo—including pressure from her own mother-in-law to change it.

Why Scarlett Johansson Kept Her Baby Name Private

Scarlett Johansson and her husband, Colin Jost, welcomed their son Cosmo a few years after Johansson gave birth to her daughter Rose Dorothy with ex-husband Romain Dauriac in 2014.

Interestingly, the couple chose to keep their son’s name private initially. Speaking on Today with Jenna and Friends, Johansson explained that she wanted to avoid negative reactions.

“I didn’t want any of the weird faces people make when they don’t like a name,” she shared. “I’m not here for opinions.”

Mother-in-Law Suggested Changing “Cosmo” to “Cosimo”

When the couple finally revealed their son’s name, not everyone was impressed—especially Colin Jost’s mother.

Johansson revealed that her mother-in-law suggested altering the name to something more traditional:

“She said, ‘Cosimo is a name I can find. That’s a recognizable name.’”

However, Johansson stood firm:

“We’re not just gonna insert an ‘I’—this is what it is.”

Colin Jost Confirms Family’s Reaction

Colin Jost also addressed the situation during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, admitting his mother was initially confused.

“She didn’t quite understand it,” he said. “Maybe she thought it was kind of a hippie name.”

Despite repeated suggestions to change it, the couple stayed confident in their decision.

Scarlett Johansson’s Mother Loved the Name

While there was criticism from one side of the family, Johansson received strong support from her own mother.

“My mom loved it,” Johansson said. “She told me her third-grade crush was named Cosmo, so it had a great meaning for her.”

Final Thoughts

This story highlights a universal truth: no matter what name you choose for your child, someone will always have an opinion. But as Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost proved, the most important thing is choosing a name that feels right to you.