Scarlett Johansson Explains Why She Hid Her Son’s Name: “Didn’t Want the Weird Face”

Scarlett Johansson recently opened up about why she and husband Colin Jost kept their son’s name private. The couple welcomed their now 4-year-old son, Cosmo, in 2021, and Johansson explained that they avoided sharing the name publicly to steer clear of negative reactions.

“I didn’t want any of the weird face,” she told Jenna Bush Hager on Today. “You know when you tell somebody and they go like this, ‘Oh, that’s different.’ What’s happening there? I don’t like it.”

Johansson said that during her pregnancy, she didn’t want to deal with opinions or judgment from others. “If you’re carrying, you’re like, ‘I’m not here for it. I don’t want any of your opinions,’” she added.

Johansson noted that her mother, Melanie Sloan, loved the name, which was a relief. “My mom loved it, which was like, ‘phew.’ She was like, ‘Oh my third grade crush was named Cosmo.’ It had a great meaning for her,” she said. Colin Jost’s mother, Kerry Kelly, initially suggested the variant Cosimo, but Johansson and Jost decided to stick with Cosmo. “That’s a recognizable name. I was like, ‘We’re not just gonna insert an I, this is what it is,’” she recalled.

The actress also shared glimpses into their parenting routine. On a previous episode of Jenna & Friends, Johansson and Jost joked about who is better at reading bedtime stories. Colin teased that he lets “the literature shine,” while Johansson said the children prefer her approach. “I’m winning,” she laughed.

This isn’t Johansson’s first experience with parenthood. She also has an 11-year-old daughter, Rose, from her previous marriage to Romain Dauriac. Johansson has been open about her past relationships, including her marriages to Ryan Reynolds and Dauriac, reflecting on the lessons she learned and how she has grown as a parent.

By keeping Cosmo’s name private, Johansson and Jost shielded their child from unwanted scrutiny. It shows how celebrities often take extra steps to protect their family’s privacy.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!