Rihanna opens up about family life and the surprising inspiration behind her son Riot’s name

Rihanna recently opened up about the inspiration behind her youngest son’s name

In a conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, the singer said that music producer and longtime friend, Pharrell Williams was actually the one who suggested the name Riot Rose Mayers.  

Pharrell, who collaborated with A$AP Rocky on the 2023 track RIOT (Rowdy Pipe’n), proposed the name thinking that Rihanna was expecting a baby girl. 

“He gave us this name thinking it was going to be a girl,” Rihanna explained. “He had seen something online and felt inspired.”  

She then praised Pharrell’s thoughtful nature, and said: “He’s very deep. He’s not surface-level at all. When he says something, he doesn’t just stop there - he gives you the history, the energy, the timing, everything.”  

Beyond sharing the unique backstory of Riot’s name, Rihanna also gave a rare glimpse into their family life, speaking about their second child.

According to the Diamonds singer, her son is full of energy and joy. “He’s just hilarious,” she said. 

“When he wakes up, he starts to squeal and scream - not crying, just making noise because he wants to sing. He’s my morning alarm, and he doesn’t take no for an answer!”  

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are also parents to two-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers, whose name pays tribute to the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA. 

As for expanding their family, Rihanna has hinted that she isn’t done just yet and that another little one could be on the cards.

Speaking with E! News in late 2023, she revealed that she was hoping for another boy next time. 

In a follow-up interview in June 2024, she joked about how she would react to another pregnancy: “I’d just cry out of pure anxiety for one day, and then I think I’d get over it the next.”