Fans of “Glee” star Darren Criss were taken aback when they found out the name he and his wife, Mia Swier, chose for their second child. In a year where parents are leaning towards more unique baby names, Darren’s choice definitely stands out—but perhaps not for reasons one might expect.
Choosing a baby name is tricky business. While a unique name can certainly set a child apart, it can also lead to some unintended consequences. For instance, fans of “Game of Thrones” might remember the rush to name babies ‘Khaleesi’ or ‘Daenerys’, only to be left with mixed feelings after the series’ controversial ending. On the safer side, “Dune” enthusiasts might find ‘Paul’ to be a less risky option.
However, Darren Criss’ recent naming decision has sparked discussions for an entirely different reason. The public’s reaction was evident as soon as the actor shared the news on his Instagram.
In a playful Instagram post, Darren announced: “M & D just delivered their follow-up single. Brother László Criss, 6/3/24.” He further clarified, “Out now. … and yes, his first this name is Brother.”
This revelation led to a flurry of comments from followers, many of whom felt compelled to point out the unusual nature of the name ‘Brother.’ One commenter noted, “If you have to clarify that’s it’s his name maybe it shouldn’t be his name.” Another added, “If you have to explain their name is ‘Brother’ then a different name should be picked.” A third chimed in saying, “If you need to say ‘yes his name really is…’, chances are you picked a bad name.”
Despite the mixed reactions to the name ‘Brother,’ many fans expressed their joy and congratulations to Darren and Mia. One enthusiastic fan commented, “Yeeeeesssss! So happy for you growing Family!! Love you all!” Another congratulated the couple, specifically praising the choice of the middle name: “Congratulations! (Lászlò is a nice Hungarian name;).”
The couple has a history of creative announcements. When expecting their first child, they shared, “We’ve been making music for years. … But this time we made a BEAT. The ultimate collab droppin Spring 2022,” alongside an image of their child’s heartbeat.