13 Celebs Who Share Their Fathers’ Names

Nothing can bring a father and son closer together than sharing their unique baby name. And as it happens, an inordinate number of male superstars have been juniors (or IIIs or IVs — even Vs) — whether because the name was something to live up to, or an incentive to distinguish themselves as individuals. In anticipation of Father’s Day, we look at 13 stars who share their parent’s name and the various ways these baby name pairings have played out.

1. Alec Baldwin: As the oldest of the four Baldwin brothers, Alexander Rae Baldwin III was the logical inheritor of his dad’s name. Father A. Baldwin Jr. was a high school history teacher and Mayflower descendant. Alec’s only son Rafael is obviously not carrying on the family tradition. (Photo via Mike Windle/Getty)

2. Clint Eastwood: Clinton Eastwood Jr. is the son of a same-named steelworker, but macho Clint never used the Junior part of his name professionally. As with many — if not most modern fathers — the Jr. stops here.

3. Robert Downey Jr.: Robert John Downey Jr. is one of three Robert Jr. superstars. There’s also Robert Anthony De Niro and (Charles) Robert Redford Jr.

4. Beau Bridges: Beau Bridges was born Lloyd Vernet Bridges III, at a time when his father was a major TV star. His parents nicknamed him Beau after the character of Ashley Wilkes’ son in Gone With the Wind. Beau has become a popular name on its own: It now ranks at number 2013 and has been used by such celebs as Art Garfunkel and Jamie-Lynn Sigler for their sons.

5. Brad Pitt: William Bradley Pitt is not technically a Junior because he has a different middle name than his dad, William Alvin Pitt. He also opted to use that middle name nickname to avoid confusion. (Photo via Jason Merritt/Getty)

6. Cuba Gooding Jr.: Cuba shares his unusual name with his father, a Motown R&B singer, but he named his own two sons Spencer and Mason. Cuba is a place name that has never caught on, but with the changed political situation, that could change too.

7. Busta Rhymes: Rapper/actor/producer Busta Rhymes was born with the much more conventional name of Trevor George Smith Jr. His only nod to family tradition was to give his three sons names starting with T: T’Zian, T’Khi and Trillian. Another rapper who was once a Junior (named for his stepfather) is Snoop Dog, aka Cordozar Calvin Boradus Jr; three of his kids have names starting with the Cor syllable. And there’s more — 50 Cent’s birth certificate reads Curtis James Jackson III, Common was Lonnie Rashid Lynn Jr and Coolio is Artis LeonIvey Jr, to name a few.

8. Will Smith: Will Smith was born not William but Willard Carroll Smith Jr. His first son, following tradition, is WCS III, but is known by the traditional nickname for a third, Trey.

9. Ramon Estevez: Actor Ramon Estevez, the less well known brother of Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez, is kind of a sideways Junior, as his father dropped his birth name of Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez when he became actor Martin Sheen. Charlie is the only one of his four kids to use his dad’s stage surname.

10. Usher: Did you ever wonder where Usher got his unusual name? Well, Usher Raymond IV came by it legitimately, inheriting it from Dad, Usher Raymond III. The singer did pass it on to his son, Usher Raymond V, known to all as “Cinco.” (Photo via Mark Davis/Getty)

11. Harry Connick Jr: The son of a New Orleans lawyer, judge and onetime DA, the singer was christened Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. He followed a common Junior practice by using his middle name.

12. Monroe Jackson Rathbone V: Going all the way to #V in his family, the Twilight’s Jasper Hale portrayer was christened Monroe Jackson Rathbone V to a family with distinguished ancestors, including Civil War general Stonewall Jackson. And, staying true to his family custom, he named his son Monroe Jackson Rathbone VI (brother to new baby sister Presley Bowie).

13. Will.i.am: William James Adams Jr had fun with his inherited name (from a father he never met), being one of the first celebs to play with punctuation.

Did your favorite baby name make the list? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!

This post was previously published on Nameberry.

(Featured photo via Getty)

Even with that extra day in February thanks to Leap Year, it feels crazy that March is already here! Especially if you’re a mama or papa-to-be and nearing your March due date. Still stuck on which name to choose? Fortunately, March is full of holidays and symbols to help inspire some creative, seasonal baby names. We got the ball rolling, drawing inspiration from St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, the first day of spring and even more offbeat choices like March Madness and World Poetry Day!

March Baby Name Ideas For 2024

Image via Singkham/Pexels

Not only do these March baby names have some beautiful meanings (plus they honestly just sound super cool), but the best part is that a lot of them are gender-neutral! Plus, Blake Lively's kids prove you can rock any name you want, even if it's a little unconventional at the time. Keep reading for the ultimate springtime baby names.

March Baby Names for Boys

Image via Pixabay/Pexels

  • Devin: If your baby boy makes an appearance around March 21, give him this Irish name meaning “poet” in honor of World Poetry Day.
  • Diaz: With Daylight Saving Time just around the corner, longer, brighter days are as well. Celebrate their return with this Spanish last-name-as-a-first-name.
  • Hooper: If you’re feeling a touch of March Madness coming on, this hoops-inspired name is a unique option that’s still not too out of the ordinary (its cousin Cooper is plenty popular, after all).
  • Leo: We were going to suggest this name due to the old March “in like a lion, out like a lamb” idiom, but let’s face it — now we’re just suggesting it because of Leo DiCaprio.
  • Marius: The month of March is named for Mars, God of War, but if you want to dub your boy with a less planetary-sounding name, try this Latin alternative.

Image via Oleksandr P/Pexels

  • Palmer: This is a great last-name-as-a-first-name for Palm Sunday babies, and it won’t be out of place in the classroom at all with all the Parkers, Archers, and Sawyers out there.
  • Pascal: Pascal is simply the French word for Easter, but it's also a great reference to our favorite new Fantastic Four hero, Pedro Pascal. You can vary the spelling by going Spanish (Pasqual) or Cornish (Pascoe).
  • Patrick: Everyone’s favorite Irish celebration falls on March 17. Need we say more?
  • Rainn: March is always unpredictable when it comes to the weather, so if it ends up being a wet month, this is one way to put a positive spin on the rain. (This spelling is borrowed from The Office’s Rainn Wilson.)
  • Samson­­: And if you get lucky and have a sunshiny March instead? This Biblical name means “sun.”

March Baby Names for Girls

Image via kaushal mishra/Unsplash

  • Ava: Spring is all about rebirth and new life, and so is this lovely name.
  • Blossom: Not gonna lie, this is a tough name to pull off if your aesthetic isn’t floppy hats and appliqué flowers. But if Mayim Bialik can move past her ‘90s TV show days, so can the name Blossom, which is perfectly suited for springtime babies.
  • Chloe: This Top 100 staple for girls is a great choice for your little lady, as it has the spring season written all over it — it means “young, green shoot.”
  • Clover: Looking for a botanic-inspired name for a baby born in March? This four-leafed St. Patrick’s Day symbol is ideal, not to mention very lucky!
  • Edda: Pronounced similarly to Etta, this is a Norse name meaning “poetry.”

Image via Pixabay/Pexels

  • Marina: March’s birthstone is the aquamarine, and while it’s a totally gorgeous gem, it’s a little on the nose for a girl’s name. Try this aquatic alternative.
  • Narcissa: Daffodils are a telltale first sign of spring, but the name may be a little too… daffy for a girl to grow up with. Consider the flower’s other name, narcissus (although Harry Potterfans may find it hard to disassociate from a certain Malfoy).
  • Poesy: If the pronunciation of this name is a little tricky (it has three syllables, just like its meaning, poetry), you can always opt for the flowery name Posey instead, which would also be perfect for spring.
  • Robin: Even if March is still snowy in your neck of the woods, you always know spring is coming by the appearance of these red-breasted birds.
  • Soleil: March is the light at the end of the dark, wintry tunnel, which is why this “sunny” French name is a bright name for your baby.

What March baby names will you be choosing this year? Tweet us your springtime favorites @BritandCo!

Lead image viaSingkham/Pexels.

This post has been updated.

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

2024 is flying by. It feels like just yesterday you were setting your New Year’s resolutions (which probably included deciding on the perfect baby name), and now your February due date is here! Here are 16 boys’ and girls’ names that have ties to all of our favorite things about the month of February, including Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, horoscope signs and leap year. Scroll on for charming, creative baby names befitting a kiddo born this month.

The Best Girls' Names For February Babies in 2024

Photo by Daniel Thomas on Unsplash

1. Amethyst: The pretty purple gem is also a lovely name for a girl, who could go by Amy for short. It’s a perfect February pick for two reasons: It’s the February birthstone, and the name Amy means “beloved.”

2. February: Practically every other month has been turned into a first name, so give this one a chance. We all thought January was pretty crazy before Ms. Jones hit the scene, didn’t we? As Nameberry points out, cute nicknames include Airy and Rue.

3. Primrose: Calling all Hunger Games fans: Katniss’s brave little sister is one of the few characters whose name was originally from our time. The primrose is one of February’s birth flowers.

4. Rosa: As we all know, a Rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, so put a spin on the Valentine’s Day flower with a slight variation on the traditional name. Or take it further: Rosalie, Rosemary, Rosetta…

Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash

5. Sadie: In some Irish and British traditions, women propose to men on a leap year day. Sound familiar? Here in the States, we have a similar role-swapping custom known as the Sadie Hawkins Dance, making Sadie a perfect first name for a little leap lady.

6. Tallulah: Speaking of leap day, the name Tallulah means “leaping water.” It’s also come a long way from being Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s unusual choice for their daughter — it became one of the hottest names of the last decade!

7. Valentina: If your bundle of love arrives on Valentine’s Day, you simply can’t go wrong with this gorgeous Latin moniker, used in languages as different as Italian, Spanish and Russian.

8. Violet: February’s other birth flower, in addition to primrose, is the violet. Purple lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a name for their little ones.

The Best Boys' Names For February Babies

Photo by Minnie Zhou on Unsplash

1. Abe: With Presidents’ Day in the middle of February, it’s a good time to give a nod to one of our greatest leaders, President Lincoln.

2. Ash: In some Celtic traditions, the ash is one of the symbolic trees of February, representing creativity, free thinking and inspiration.

3. Aziz: Popularized by Parks and Recreation goofball, Modern Romance author and Master of None Netflix creator, Aziz Ansari, Aziz in Arabic means “powerful and beloved.”

4. Julian: Before the current Gregorian calendar, there was the Julian calendar, developed by Julius Caesar. You can thank him for adding the leap day to the calendar by giving your February leap year baby this very appropriate name.

Photo by Colin Maynard on Unsplash

5. Lev/Liev: Heart-shaped chocolates, heart-shaped cookies, heart-shaped candies… There’s no doubt that hearts are instantly associated with the lovey-dovey month of February. That’s just what this Hebrew (and its Yiddish counterpart) mean.

6. Quinn: This Irish name, meaning “chief leader” and “intelligence,” is a good pick.

7. Ren: The zodiacs for February are both water-related (Aquarius and Pisces), so an aquatic name like Ren, meaning “water lily, lotus” is a fitting choice. Bonus points: Star Wars fans can give a little shoutout to Kylo Ren ;)

8. Rowan: Like the name Ash, the rowan is another symbolic tree of February. It’s also suited to ginger babies, as it means “little redhead.”

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

What other February names come to mind for you? Share your favorites with as @BritandCo! This post has been updated.

Though Black Friday is traditionally the official start of the holiday shopping season, we argue that it’s been kicking since mid-October. We know, we know: it still feels extremely early to start thinking about the holidays, but they’ll be here before you know it! Plus, many brands and retailers are already promoting their holiday goodies with plenty of sales and discounts available right now.

If you’re ready to embark on your holiday shopping journey, but still need answers to questions like ‘when’s the best time to shop?’ and ‘where should I shop for gifts?’ and even ‘how the heck do I save money this season?’, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your go-to guide for holiday shopping in 2024.

Scroll on for our best guidance on navigating this busy time of year and finding the best gifts possible!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

Ron Lach / PEXELS

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Andrea Piacquadio / PEXELS

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Sora Shimazaki / PEXELS

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Kindel Media / PEXELS

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our best 2024 gift guides, shopping advice, and all things holiday!

The holidays at Starbucks are creeping up on us, people! Peppermint Mocha season will return on November 7. If you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan, you know Red Cup Day is a whole holiday in itself – the frenzy for a free reusable cup is truly no joke. There’s even an entire website dedicated to counting down the madness! Even though there’s no official word on when Red Cup Day 2024 will be, there are several clues that cue us into the annual event. Scroll on for details!

What is Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ highly-awaited annual event that marks the start of holiday beverage season at the coffee chain. For one day only (and while supplies last), customers who order any of Starbucks’ holiday drinks will receive a reusable red cup that features a bespoke design for the respective year.

Starbucks

Here’s a list of all the drinks rumored to be available on the Starbucks holiday menu starting November 7:

  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
  • Caramel Brûlée Latte
  • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
  • Chestnut Praline Latte
  • Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
  • Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

What do the red cups look like for 2024?

Starbucks

Starbucks hasn’t officially announced when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, let alone what the famed red cups will look like this go-around. The one obvious point is that the cups will be red! They’ll also likely feature some festive motifs that echo the holiday season. Last year’s red cups boasted playful white and green stars and ornament-like shapes.

Why should I participate in Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day = freebies, which can feel really rewarding if you’re really into receiving free goodies. Plus, it’s just a fun way to lean into the holiday spirit. The red reusable cup keeps giving beyond Red Cup Day, though! Every time you use the reusable cup for future Starbucks orders, you get a 10-cent discount as well as 25 bonus stars toward your Starbucks Rewards account to save up for more discounts on drinks, food, and merchandise.

When is Starbucks' Red Cup Day 2024?

Starbucks

Again, Starbucks hasn’t alerted us on when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, but based on previous Red Cup Days, we can infer it’ll land on the third Thursday of November. In 2022, Red Cup Day happened on November 17, and for 2023, it was November 16. The third Thursday of November in 2024 hits on November 21, so mark your calendars, everyone!

Additionally, check back here for official info as Red Cup Day approaches.

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This post has been updated.