Sophia Michaels
According to a birth certificate obtained by the Daily Mail, power couple Rihanna and A$AP Rocky named their first child RZA Athelston Mayers. Fans might recognize RZA as the stage name of Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, aka the leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, per ET. For RZA’s middle name, the pair took inspiration from Rocky’s own middle name of “Athelaston,” which features a slightly different spelling. RZA is undoubtedly an homage to one of hip hop’s most famous groups, but it’s also a sweet nod to Rocky, whose family has a habit of naming children after famous rappers. Vulture reports that Rocky (whose real name is Rakim Mayers) was named after Rakim, of hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim.
In a 2011 conversation with Complex, Rocky shared that he was thinking about naming his future son Kanye. A few years later, he’d changed his tune, telling GQ he was leaning towards the name Pharrell. Obviously neither was a winner, and in hindsight, Rihanna’s decision to step out in RZA merch back in September makes a lot of sense.
With Rihanna and Rocky now expecting their second child, the jury’s out on what he or she will be named, but one thing we’re counting on? It could be a while before the name is revealed, but it will be worth the wait.
