For Real This Time: Hugh Grant’s Baby Name Revealed!
The Great Hugh Grant Baby Name Mystery kept us on our toes following the little girl's birth last year, but we can finally give this one a "case closed" stamp.
Following the baby’s birth last September, there were rumors that the actor’s daughter, with ex-girlfriend Tinglan Hong, was named Jessica. Then that story was dumped when an ex-boyfriend of the Chinese actress told the press that the baby had a traditional Chinese name that translated into “unplanned arrival” or “happy accident.” But now we’re finally hearing from dad Hugh, the British actor best known for movies including About a Boy and Notting Hill, himself who solved the mystery by revealing that the baby’s name is Tabitha.
We explored Tabitha following the birth of Sarah Jessica Parker’s twin daughters in 2009. Despite trendsetter SJP selecting the name for Tabitha Hodge Broderick, we haven’t seen the unusual name gain any popularity in recent years. It's been in the same spot, No. 643, for two years in a row—compared to its heyday at No. 126 in 1978. The name, which is of Aramaic origin meaning “gazelle," has a strong association with the classic 1970s TV series Bewitched and later spin-off Tabitha. So strong, in fact, it is a little hard for some to shake that witchy connection.
Also worth a mention, Hugh and Sarah Jessica costarred in the 2009 film Did You Hear About the Morgans? That was the year she welcomed her Tabitha, something we're sure he was very aware of (and inspired by?)
In the new interview in which Hugh talks Tabitha, he goes on to reveal that he selected his daughter's English name and her mother picked a Chinese name, meaning the "happy accident" rumor could still possibly be true. As for how he's adjusting to fatherhood Hugh, who earlier noted that the baby was concieved during a "fleeting affair" with Tinglan, shared, "I like my daughter very much. Fantastic. Has she changed my life? I'm not sure. Not yet. Not massively, no. But I'm absolutely thrilled to have had her, I really am. And I feel a better person."
What do you think of celebs naming their kids Tabitha? Does it remind you too much of Bewitched?
--S.B.


Comments
Boo. I just named my daughter Tabitha and hope it doesn't get more popular.
Grrrr... I hate when celebs take good names. This one was close to the top of my list.
Grrr.... I hate when celebs take good names. And this one was close to the top of my list.
Good name. The only Tabitha that comes to my mind is author Tabitha King.
...and "Tabitha Takes Over" and "Tabitha's Salon Takeover" on Bravo!
Sorry, I'm not a fan. It sounds kind of old lady-ish to me. Plus, I'm not a fan of the nickname Tabby. (Maybe Tibby or Bitsy would be better?) But I have a friend with a little daughter named Tabitha, and she's cute!
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