Recently, Jonty Rhodes created waves when he named his new born daughter India Jeanne Rhodes.
The legendary South African cricketer says he has always admired India’s ‘rich mix of culture, heritage and tradition’, which is why he named his daughter after the country.
By naming her India, he hopes that his daughter ‘will have the best of both the worlds.’
But Rhodes is not the only sportsperson who has scanned maps to look for baby names. There are other kids who are also ‘going places’!
Brian Lara’s Daughter ‘Sydney’
Brian Lara is among the five greatest batsmen of all time, so it was no surprise that he named his daughter after one of his fondest cricket memories.
Sydney (born 1996) is named as a tribute to Lara’s favourite cricket haunt, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It was also the ground where Lara scored his first Test century - a smashing 277 in 1992-93.
Alicia Keys’ Son ‘Egypt’
Everyone has that one trip that changed their life. For singer Alicia Keys, it was her solo trip to Egypt that proved to be a transformative experience. Which is why she named her son Egypt (born 2010). Hope he enjoys the pyramids and sailing through Nile, as much as his mother did!
Alec Baldwin’s Daughter ‘Ireland’
Sometimes, it’s all about going back to your roots. A proud Irishman himself, Alec Baldwin named his daughter with his ex-wife, Kim Basinger, Ireland (born 1995). Now a ravishing, 6’2 model, Ireland had earlier been at the centre of an ugly custody battle between Baldwin and Basinger.
David Beckham’s Son ‘Brooklyn’
While most people think that the reason David and Victoria Beckham’s son is called Brooklyn is because he was conceived there, that is quite not true. In her autobiography, Posh Spice revealed the secret behind her son’s name.
I had always liked the name Brooke and then we suddenly thought about Brooklyn. I’d always like it as a place - it’s very multi-cultural, very grounded. And it was only afterward that I realized how appropriate it was because it was in New York that I found out I was pregnant and where David came after the World Cup.
— Victoria Beckham
Shakira’s Son ‘Milan’
Shakira and football player Gerard Pique’s son has enviable genes, and also a membership of FC Barcelona since birth. When little Milan (born 2013) came into the world, Barcelona fans wondered why he was named after Italy’s football capita. But Shakira was quick to explain that she chose Milan because the name has many meanings that she liked:
The name Milan means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification.
— Shakira
So for all the Barcelona fans, Pique is still a total Barca guy.
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