Alec Baldwin and Wife Face Backlash Over New Baby’s Name

Actor Alec Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, have once again found themselves in the middle of controversy—this time over the name of their seventh child. What should have been a joyful celebration of new life quickly turned into heated debate, with many critics questioning both the baby’s name and Hilaria’s long-disputed claims of Spanish heritage.

The Name That Sparked Outrage

The couple welcomed a daughter, giving her the name Ilaria Catalina Irena Baldwin. Almost immediately, social media lit up with criticism. Some accused Hilaria, who was born and raised in Boston, of once again presenting herself as something she is not.

One frustrated commenter described the choice as a “fake Spanish name from a Boston-born mom,” while another asked bluntly why none of the Baldwin children carried even a single American middle name. Others mocked the couple, suggesting that Hilaria’s name itself should be changed to “hilarious” given the perceived irony of her actions.

The Roots of the Controversy

The backlash ties back to revelations in 2020, when it was widely reported that Hilaria—whose real name is Hilary Hayward-Thomas—was not born in Spain, but in Boston, Massachusetts. The revelation came after years of Hilaria speaking publicly as if she were of Spanish origin, sometimes even adopting an accent. A particularly viral clip showed her struggling to recall the English word for “cucumber” during a live cooking segment, which critics took as an attempt to exaggerate her connection to Spanish culture.

The story intensified when it was discovered that her management agency’s biography claimed she was born in Mallorca, Spain, something she later said was a mistake.

Hilaria’s Defense

In a December 2020 interview with The New York Times, Hilaria pushed back against accusations of cultural appropriation. She explained that she has spent significant time in Spain throughout her life and that members of her family still live there. As for the cucumber incident, she chalked it up to nerves during an early live television appearance.

She also defended her decision to use “Hilaria” instead of her birth name “Hilary,” saying it is the version of her name that her Spanish relatives have always called her. “I was clear about being born in Boston,” she maintained, though she acknowledged that the misrepresentation in her agency bio was a “disappointing error.”

A Debate That Won’t End

The naming of Ilaria Catalina Irena has reopened wounds that never fully healed. For critics, it feels like another attempt by the Baldwins to project a cultural identity that doesn’t authentically belong to them. Supporters, however, argue that names are deeply personal and that Hilaria has every right to honor the Spanish influences in her life.

The broader conversation touches on issues much bigger than one celebrity couple. At its core, it raises questions about identity, cultural celebration versus appropriation, and how much scrutiny public figures should face over their personal lives.

As the Baldwins continue to expand their family, the debate surrounding Hilaria’s heritage and the couple’s choices shows no sign of fading. For now, little Ilaria’s name has become the newest chapter in a long-running story about fame, authenticity, and the complex relationship between public perception and private identity.