Greg Gutfeld’s Newborn Has a Name Inspired by an Unexpected Book Character – Fans Are Scrambling to Decode It

Greg Gutfeld, the sharp-witted host of Fox News’ Gutfeld! and co-host of The Five, is no stranger to sparking conversation with his irreverent humor and bold takes. In December 2024, the 60-year-old media personality welcomed his first child, a daughter, with his wife, Elena Moussa, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement and speculation. The announcement of the baby’s name, Mira, revealed during a January 6, 2025, episode of The Five, added a new layer of intrigue: the name is reportedly inspired by a character from an unexpected book, leaving fans and literary enthusiasts scrambling to decode the connection. Social media platforms like X have been abuzz with theories, as Gutfeld’s cryptic clues about the literary inspiration fuel a cultural guessing game.

A Surprise Announcement and a Mysterious Name

Gutfeld’s absence from Fox News in early December 2024 prompted rampant speculation, with fans on X wondering if the host had been fired or was dealing with health issues. On December 10, 2024, co-host Dana Perino dispelled the rumors on The Five, reading a statement from Gutfeld: “It is with great joy that my wife Elena and I have welcomed a baby girl into the world. Mira is healthy with a real set of lungs. She has Elena’s beautiful eyes and my rock-hard abs.” The announcement, laced with Gutfeld’s signature humor, was met with an outpouring of congratulations on X, with users like @TVNewsNow posting, “Congrats to @greggutfeld on becoming a new dad!”

The name Mira, meaning “admirable” or “wonderful” in Latin and Slavic origins, initially seemed like a straightforward, elegant choice. However, during his return to Gutfeld! on January 6, 2025, Gutfeld dropped a tantalizing hint: Mira’s name was inspired by a character from a book he’d read years ago, one he described as “not what you’d expect from me.” The vague reference sent fans into detective mode, with X posts speculating about everything from classic literature to obscure sci-fi novels. “Greg Gutfeld picking a book character for his kid’s name? This is gonna be wild,” one user wrote. Another quipped, “Is Mira named after some libertarian manifesto or a comic book heroine? I need answers!”

The Literary Hunt Begins

Gutfeld’s literary background adds fuel to the mystery. A University of California, Berkeley graduate with a degree in English, Gutfeld has authored several books, including The Joy of Hate and The Gutfeld Monologues, blending political satire with cultural commentary. His love for literature isn’t just professional; he’s referenced diverse influences on air, from Ayn Rand to Hunter S. Thompson. This eclectic taste has led fans to cast a wide net in their search for Mira’s literary namesake. On X, users have proposed characters from dystopian novels, classic comedies, and even children’s books, reflecting Gutfeld’s unpredictable persona.

One popular theory points to Mira from Ayn Rand’s Anthem, a dystopian novella about individualism and rebellion against collectivism. The character, a bold young woman who defies societal constraints, aligns with Gutfeld’s libertarian leanings. An X post from @LibertarianDad read, “Mira from Anthem? Greg’s been dropping Rand hints for years. It’s gotta be her.” However, Gutfeld’s comment that the book was “not what you’d expect” has led others to dismiss this, arguing it’s too on-brand for the host known for subverting expectations.

Another contender is Mira from Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses, a complex character navigating cultural identity and transformation. This theory, floated in a viral X thread, suggests Gutfeld might have chosen a provocative, controversial work to reflect his contrarian streak. Yet, Rushdie’s dense, literary style seems an unlikely fit for Gutfeld’s populist humor, leading some to propose lighter fare, like Mira Carstairs from P.G. Wodehouse’s Something Fresh, a spirited character in a comedic novel about class and mischief. “Wodehouse is absurd and funny, just like Greg,” one fan posted. “Mira Carstairs feels right.”

A Nod to Gus?

Adding to the speculation, some fans believe Mira’s name might also connect to Gutfeld’s late French Bulldog, Gus, who passed away in 2023. Gutfeld often called Gus “Miracle” for his resilience, and Mira shares a phonetic similarity. On The Five, Gutfeld revealed that Gus’s successor, a new French Bulldog, was struggling with Mira’s arrival, “peeing in front of the baby’s room” out of jealousy. The overlap has led to theories that Mira’s literary inspiration might tie to a book featuring a dog or a “miracle” theme, such as The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst, though no character named Mira appears in it.

On X, a user suggested The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, noting that while no Mira appears, the book’s themes of wonder and discovery resonate with the name’s meaning. “Greg’s a sap at heart,” the post read. “Bet he picked something whimsical like The Little Prince.” Others pointed to Mira, Mirror by Mette Ivie Harrison, a retelling of “Snow White” where Mira is a sentient mirror with a redemptive arc—an unexpected choice that could reflect Gutfeld’s love for quirky narratives.

Fans and Fox News React

The mystery has captivated Gutfeld’s colleagues at Fox News. On The Five, Jesse Watters teased, “Greg, is Mira named after some sci-fi warrior or a Jane Austen heroine? Spill it!” Gutfeld smirked, replying, “It’s a book you’d never guess, Jesse. Keep reading.” Dana Perino, a known book lover, speculated off-air that it might be a classic novel, telling colleagues she’s “rereading Rebecca to check for Miras.” The buzz has extended to Gutfeld! panelists like Kat Timpf, who recently welcomed her own child and battled cancer, joking, “If Greg’s picking book names, I’m naming my next kid after Harry Potter.”

Social media has turned the decoding into a collective puzzle. A trending X hashtag, #MiraMystery, features fans sharing theories, from Dune’s obscure characters to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. One user posted, “Greg’s trolling us with this book clue. It’s probably Cat in the Hat to mess with us.” The speculation has even drawn literary scholars into the fray, with a blog post on BookRiot suggesting Mira might come from The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, though no such character exists.

Gutfeld’s Evolving Persona

Mira’s name and its literary roots highlight Gutfeld’s ability to surprise. At 60, he’s not only a new father but a dominant force in late-night TV, with Gutfeld! averaging 2.5 million viewers and outpacing Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert. His decision to name his daughter after a book character reflects a blend of intellectual depth and playful provocation, qualities that define his career. In a New York Times profile, Gutfeld was described as attracting younger viewers with his “relentless comedic presence,” and Mira’s name adds a personal dimension to that appeal.

Gutfeld’s reticence to reveal the exact book keeps the mystery alive. On Gutfeld!, he teased, “You’ll figure it out when Mira’s old enough to read it herself.” This coyness has only intensified the speculation, with fans on X vowing to comb through Gutfeld’s past interviews for clues. His love for music—bands like Power Trip and GWAR have appeared on his show—has even led some to wonder if the book might be music-related, though no clear candidates have emerged.

A Legacy in the Making

As Gutfeld settles into fatherhood, Mira’s name has become a cultural touchstone, blending his personal life with his public persona. The literary inspiration, still undisclosed, underscores his knack for keeping audiences guessing. Whether it’s a nod to Ayn Rand, P.G. Wodehouse, or something entirely unexpected, the name Mira has sparked a conversation that transcends celebrity gossip, inviting fans to engage with literature and Gutfeld’s enigmatic worldview.

On X, one user summed it up: “Greg Gutfeld naming his kid after a book character is the most Greg thing ever. Mira’s already cooler than all of us.” As fans continue to decode the mystery, Mira Gutfeld’s name is a testament to her father’s ability to surprise, provoke, and inspire—both on air and in the pages of a book yet to be revealed.