Fans are only just cottoning on to the surprisingly simple explanation behind the names of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's children, Willow and Jaden.
The connection people missed
Both children's names are essentially gender-flipped versions of their parents' own names: Jaden echoes Jada, and Willow echoes Will. Once pointed out, plenty of people online have been left stunned they hadn't noticed it sooner, with reactions ranging from disbelief to good-natured embarrassment at only just making the connection years later.
A pattern that runs in the family
The naming theme extends further than Willow and Jaden. Will Smith's full name is Willard Carroll Smith II, and his eldest son from his marriage to Sheree Zampino, known professionally as Trey Smith, is actually named Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith III, continuing the family naming tradition.
Following in their parents' footsteps professionally too
Beyond the names, both Willow and Jaden have built careers in entertainment alongside their parents. Jaden co-starred with his father in The Pursuit of Happyness in 2006 and After Earth in 2013, while Willow appeared briefly in I Am Legend in 2007 before going on to build a career in music.
Not the only celebrity family to do this
The Smiths aren't alone in naming children after themselves. Ciara and Future named their son Future Zahir Wilburn, while David Arquette and Courteney Cox named their daughter Coco Riley Arquette, after her mother. Compared to some of the more unconventional celebrity baby names out there, like Elon Musk's child X Æ A-Xii, the Smiths' approach is relatively tame.
