Scarlett Johansson recently revealed that naming her son Cosmo sparked some unexpected reactions from her family. The actress, who co-hosted an episode of Today with Jenna & Friends, shared her experience about choosing the name for her 4-year-old son, whom she shares with husband Colin Jost. Johansson expressed that, before sharing the name, she was cautious due to the possible negative feedback she might receive.
“When we named our son Cosmo, I actually didn’t tell anybody for that very reason. I didn’t want any of the weird faces,” Johansson stated, recalling the uncomfortable reactions people often display when they find a name surprising or unconventional. She added, “You know when they do that, and you’re like, ‘What’s happening? You don’t like it?’”
Despite some skepticism, Johansson mentioned that her own mother was supportive of the decision. “My mom loved it, which was great,” she noted, sharing a personal anecdote about how the name had a special meaning for her mother, who reminisced about a childhood crush named Cosmo.
However, not everyone was on board. Johansson noted that her mother-in-law preferred a more traditional name. “My mother-in-law was like, a few days after she goes, ‘Cosimo is a name I can find. That’s a recognizable name,’” Johansson recalled, highlighting the generational differences in naming preferences.
In addition to discussing her son, Johansson, who also has an 11-year-old daughter named Rose from her previous marriage, opened up about how she and Jost manage parenting alongside their busy careers. She credited their success to having “two wonderful babysitters” that help them navigate their professional and personal lives, emphasizing the importance of having support.
The actress acknowledged that balancing work and family can be challenging. “My kids are young. They thrive on a routine. So, you try to make a routine possible,” she explained. Johansson also touched on the guilt that sometimes accompanies parenthood, as balancing work obligations with home life can leave parents feeling as if they are not fully present in either arena.
Johansson’s insights into parenting extend beyond her own experiences. During a previous appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends, she discussed a conversation with her daughter about modern dating dynamics, specifically the phenomenon of “ghosting.” She recounted a situation where Rose had stopped communicating with a boy she wasn’t interested in, leading to a discussion about the emotional effects of such actions. “It really makes the other person feel terrible about themselves,” Johansson noted, revealing her own experiences with ghosting during her dating days while admitting, “I hate confrontation.”
Johansson’s candid reflections provide a glimpse into her life as a mother balancing family and career, all while staying true to her unique choices and perspectives.
