:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pharrell-2-1-2000-e3c00f4ad3354af8a471a5b1c5777b45.jpg?w=300&resize=300,300&ssl=1 "Rihanna Shares Heartwarming Story of How Pharrell Williams Named Her Son—Under the Delightful Misconception He’d Be a Girl!")
Rihanna recently shared the story behind her second son’s name, Riot. The name came from Pharrell Williams, who initially thought Rihanna would have a girl. In a Harper’s Bazaar interview, Rihanna described Pharrell as deep and thoughtful. He brings rich history and meaning into his suggestions, making it no surprise that this name struck a chord with her.
The name Riot has a musical connection too. A$AP Rocky, Rihanna’s partner since 2020 and father to both their children, collaborated with Pharrell on a song titled “Riot (Rowdy Pipe’n).” This track hints at his love for Rihanna and was released just weeks before Riot’s birth. It’s set to be part of Rocky’s upcoming album Don’t Be Dumb.
Rihanna also touched on the meaning behind her son’s middle name, Rose. She explained that Rocky has a passion for flowers, enjoying their beauty in their home and even incorporating them into his style, like having real flowers in his grill. This love for flowers adds a personal touch to their son’s name.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Pharrell has influenced a name in Rihanna’s family. He named a song for his own son, Rocket, which was featured in Despicable Me.
Rihanna reflected on her kids’ personalities during the same interview. She described RZA, her eldest, as an empath who adores music and enjoys playful activities like swimming and bath time. In contrast, Riot is a ball of energy and humor. “He wakes up squealing and singing, ready to start the day,” she shared. She joked that he’s her morning alarm, full of life and excitement.
Rihanna also playfully discussed the bond Rocky has with their kids. “Sometimes I feel like they prefer him over me,” she laughed. Yet, she cherishes the connection they share, seeing it as a beautiful part of their family dynamic.
On the music front, Rihanna hasn’t released a studio album since 2016’s Anti. However, she’s working on new songs for the upcoming animated Smurfs movie, where she will voice the character Smurfette. The film is set to be released on July 18.
