Rihanna Announces Third Child’s Gender, but the Name’s Deep Meaning Reflects Her Motherhood Journey 🌷💞

Rihanna, the Barbadian icon whose every announcement captivates the world, has once again delivered a moment that blends joy, artistry, and raw emotion. On May 18, 2025, just weeks after revealing her third pregnancy with A$AP Rocky at the 2025 Met Gala, the 37-year-old superstar shared the gender of their third child—a girl—through a heartfelt Instagram Live session. Alongside the gender reveal, Rihanna unveiled the baby’s name, Rhea Reverie Mayers, a choice steeped in profound significance tied to her challenging journey as a mother. The announcement, infused with vulnerability and hope, left fans emotional and sparked fervent discussion on X about the name’s deeper meaning and Rihanna’s evolving narrative as a parent. 💖👶

A Legacy of Bold Announcements

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, 36, have turned family milestones into cultural events. Parents to sons RZA Athelston Mayers, 3, and Riot Rose Mayers, 22 months, they confirmed their third pregnancy on May 5, 2025, at the Met Gala, where Rihanna debuted her baby bump in a pinstriped Marc Jacobs ensemble with a corseted top and wide-brimmed hat. Rocky, a co-chair, told the Associated Press, “It feels amazing, you know,” his pride evident. The reveal followed Rihanna’s iconic pregnancy announcements: a 2022 Harlem photoshoot for RZA, strolling through snowy streets, and her 2023 Super Bowl halftime performance for Riot, where she rubbed her bump in a red jumpsuit, later admitting to Access Hollywood the reveal was spurred by a wardrobe malfunction.

Their naming choices reflect their hip-hop roots and “R” tradition, tied to Rihanna’s real name (Robyn) and Rocky’s (Rakim). RZA honors Wu-Tang Clan’s leader, while Riot, suggested by Pharrell Williams, evokes rebellion, with Rose as a nod to Rihanna’s late grandmother, Dolly Rose. On Late Night with Seth Meyers, Rocky hinted the third child’s name would follow the “R” pattern, raising expectations. Rihanna’s gender and name reveal exceeded them, weaving her motherhood challenges into a name that resonates deeply.

The Gender and Name Reveal: A Poignant Moment

During her May 18 Instagram Live, streamed from their Los Angeles home, Rihanna sat in a nursery adorned with pink tulips and gold accents, cradling a framed ultrasound photo. Joined by Rocky, RZA, and Riot, she announced, “We’re welcoming a little girl, our light in the storm.” The gender reveal was marked by RZA and Riot tossing pink flower petals, giggling as Rihanna teared up. She then shared the name: Rhea Reverie Mayers. Holding up the ultrasound frame, she read its engraving—“Rhea, our dawn; Reverie, our dream”—and explained its significance in a voice thick with emotion.

In a follow-up Vogue interview, Rihanna revealed that “Rhea,” meaning “flowing” or “goddess of motherhood” in Greek mythology, symbolized her journey through the highs and lows of parenting. “Motherhood’s been a river—beautiful, but it can sweep you away,” she said. “Rhea’s about finding strength in that flow.” The middle name, Reverie, meaning a state of dreamy reflection, reflected her hopes for her daughter amid personal trials. “Reverie’s what kept me going—dreaming of peace, of joy, even when it felt impossible,” she added. The announcement, livestreamed to 10 million viewers, per Entertainment Now, left fans stunned by its raw honesty.

The Deeper Meaning: A Motherhood Journey

The name Rhea Reverie carries profound weight, reflecting Rihanna’s challenging path as a mother. In a 2025 People interview, she described motherhood as “the best thing that ever happened” but admitted to struggles with balance, especially during Rocky’s February 2025 not-guilty verdict in a firearm assault case, a “dark cloud” per Harper’s Bazaar. The trial’s stress, coupled with raising two energetic boys, tested her resilience. She shared in a 2024 Interview magazine feature her hope for a girl, saying, “I would try for my girl. But if it’s another boy, it’s another boy,” and her fears about RZA and Riot adjusting to a sibling, noted in a May 2025 Access Hollywood interview.

Rhea’s mythological roots evoke nurturing and creation, mirroring Rihanna’s efforts to “break generational curses,” as she told Access Hollywood in 2023. Reverie, inspired by her late-night reflections during the trial, symbolized hope, tying to a heart-shaped pendant she wore in a 2025 ultrasound post, linked to her late cousin. The nursery, glimpsed during the Live, featured a mural of flowing rivers and a photo of Dolly Rose, reinforcing the name’s themes. Fans on X were moved, with one posting, “Rhea Reverie for Rihanna’s motherhood struggles? That’s so powerful. I’m crying! 😭💗.” Another wrote, “Rhea means goddess, Reverie means dreams—Rihanna’s naming her girl after her strength. Wow. 🌷.”

Fan Reactions and Big Questions

The reveal’s emotional depth sparked intense reactions. Fans praised Rihanna’s vulnerability, with one X user tweeting, “Rhea Reverie is Rihanna saying she fought for this joy. Motherhood’s tough, and she’s real about it. 👑💖.” The name’s departure from hip-hop references like RZA’s Wu-Tang nod surprised some, with a post reading, “Rhea Reverie? I expected another rap vibe, but this is pure poetry! 😲 #RheaReverie.” The Instagram Live’s intimacy, contrasting Rihanna’s usual spectacle, fueled speculation about her next moves. One fan asked, “Is Reverie a hint at R9’s vibe? Rihanna’s dreaming big with this name! ❓🌟.”

The engraving’s “dawn” and “dream” imagery led to theories about R9, which Rihanna confirmed to Entertainment Tonight at the Met Gala wouldn’t be delayed by her pregnancy. Fans speculated the album might explore motherhood, with one tweeting, “Rhea Reverie sounds like an R9 track. Is this baby her muse? 👀.” Others wondered if Rhea tied to Fenty Beauty, noting the tulip-heavy nursery echoed a potential “Goddess Glow” campaign. The questions reflected Rihanna’s knack for layering meaning, keeping fans engaged.

A Name That Defines Resilience

Rhea Reverie joins RZA and Riot in the “R” tradition, creating a sibling set that blends heritage and aspiration. The nursery’s river mural and Dolly Rose photo, echoing Rihanna’s 2023 Barbados vacation posts, grounded the name in her roots. The reveal’s impact was massive, with #RheaReverie trending on X and 12 million Instagram likes, per Entertainment Now. Fans celebrated Rihanna’s authenticity, with one tweeting, “Rhea Reverie for her motherhood journey? Rihanna’s showing us strength through love. She’s unmatched! 👑🌷.”

The announcement, set against Rihanna’s trials—from Rocky’s legal battles to parenting pressures—highlighted her evolution. As she and Rocky await Rhea’s arrival, expected around November 2025, the name stands as a testament to her resilience. One X user summed it up: “Rhea Reverie Mayers, a goddess born from Rihanna’s dreams and struggles. This name’s a story, and I’m wrecked. 🌟💗.” With Rhea Reverie, Rihanna not only welcomes a daughter but redefines motherhood’s narrative, leaving fans inspired and eager for what’s next. 🌷💞