In a move that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, Rihanna has announced she is expecting her third child with partner A$AP Rocky, a revelation that has fans buzzing with excitement. The 37-year-old global superstar, already a mother to sons RZA, 3, and Riot, 2, confirmed the pregnancy at the 2025 Met Gala, where she debuted her baby bump in a jaw-dropping pin-striped ensemble. But the real bombshell came with two jaw-dropping details: Rihanna revealed that Drake, her former collaborator and rumored ex, will be the godfather, and she dropped hints about the baby’s name, sparking a frenzy of fan theories across social media. Why Drake? What’s behind the name choice? And how is this announcement reshaping Rihanna’s narrative as she balances motherhood, music, and her billion-dollar empire?
A Glamorous Pregnancy Reveal
Rihanna has a knack for making headlines, and her third pregnancy announcement was no exception. At the 2025 Met Gala in May, she walked the blue carpet alongside A$AP Rocky, who co-chaired the event, in a tailored bolero jacket and maxi skirt that subtly showcased her growing bump. The look, a blend of high fashion and maternal pride, cemented her status as a style icon. “I’m good,” she told reporters, her radiant smile belying the whirlwind of her life as a mother, mogul, and soon-to-be parent of three. “It’s a lot, but I’m excited.” Rocky, 36, echoed her joy, calling the moment “another blessing” and hinting at their plans to keep their children close in age.
The couple, who began dating in 2019 after years of friendship, have built a family rooted in creativity and love. Their sons, RZA Athelston Mayers, born May 2022, and Riot Rose Mayers, born August 2023, carry names that reflect their parents’ artistic flair and nod to musical influences like the Wu-Tang Clan. Rihanna’s pregnancy reveal, timed with her appearance at the Met Gala, was quintessential RiRi—bold, calculated, and unforgettable. Social media erupted, with fans on X posting, “Rihanna’s bump at the Met? She’s serving looks and legacy!” Another user wrote, “RZA and Riot getting a sibling—this is the Fenty dynasty we deserve.”
Drake as Godfather: A Shocking Twist
The announcement’s biggest surprise came during a follow-up interview at the Smurfs movie premiere in June 2025, where Rihanna voiced Smurfette and released her tender single “Friend of Mine.” When asked about her growing family, she casually dropped a bombshell: “Drake’s gonna be the godfather. He’s family, you know?” The statement left fans stunned, given the complex history between Rihanna and the Canadian rapper, 38. The pair, who collaborated on hits like “What’s My Name?” (2010) and “Work” (2016), had an on-and-off romantic relationship from 2009 to 2016, marked by public displays of affection and rumored heartbreak. In 2018, Rihanna told Vogue they were no longer close, stating, “We don’t have a friendship now, but we’re not enemies either. It is what it is.”
Drake’s selection as godfather has reignited speculation about their relationship. Fans recall his 2016 MTV Video Music Awards speech, where he professed his love for Rihanna, saying, “She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22.” The moment, which Rihanna later called “uncomfortable,” marked a turning point, with their interactions cooling thereafter. Yet, recent years suggest a reconciliation. Drake reportedly reached out to congratulate Rihanna and Rocky on their first two children, and their shared history in music—spanning multiple chart-topping collaborations—has kept them connected. “Drake as godfather? My brain can’t process this,” one X user posted. Another quipped, “Rihanna picking Drake is either the ultimate flex or a plot twist for the ages.”
The decision speaks to Rihanna’s knack for defying expectations. Choosing Drake, a figure from her past, suggests a level of trust and mutual respect that transcends their romantic history. It also reflects her and Rocky’s approach to family, blending their personal and professional worlds. Rocky, who has remained supportive of Rihanna’s choices, reportedly approved, with insiders noting his confidence in their relationship. “Rocky’s secure,” a source close to the couple said. “He knows Drake’s role is ceremonial, a nod to their history, not a threat.” For Drake, who has a son, Adonis, 8, with Sophie Brussaux, the role is a chance to rebuild bridges with Rihanna while embracing a new chapter as a mentor to her child.
The Name That’s Sparking Theories
Rihanna didn’t stop at the godfather reveal. She also teased the baby’s name, confirming it will follow the family’s tradition of starting with “R.” “It’s always gonna be an R name,” she said at the Smurfs premiere, echoing a sentiment she shared with Seth Meyers in May 2025. “Me and Rocky don’t fight over that—it’s our thing.” The comment, paired with A$AP Rocky’s playful hint at a girl by holding up a Smurfette toy, sent fans into a speculative spiral. Social media platforms, especially X, lit up with name suggestions: Reign, Roz, Roux, Renai, and Rouge emerged as favorites, each carrying the bold, unique vibe of the Fenty-Mayers clan.
The name speculation has fueled countless fan theories. Some believe Rihanna might choose a name tied to her Barbadian roots, like “Rasta” or “Rasta-Rose,” blending cultural pride with her sons’ naming style. Others point to her music, suggesting names like “Rhythm” or “Rebel,” inspired by her upcoming album, dubbed “R9” by fans. A particularly wild theory posits “Rocket” as a tribute to Rocky, with one X user writing, “Imagine Rihanna naming her kid Rocket Fenty-Mayers—power couple energy!” Another theory links the name to Drake, with fans joking about “Rakeem” (Rocky’s real name) or “Remix” as a nod to their musical past. “Rihanna’s too iconic to pick a basic name,” one fan posted. “It’s gonna be something that breaks the internet.”
A New Chapter Amid a Musical Comeback
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Rihanna. Pregnant with her third child, due around September to November 2025 based on her Met Gala appearance, she’s also preparing for her musical comeback. After a nine-year hiatus since Anti (2016), Rihanna has teased “R9” as a genre-defying project, blending reggae, hip-hop, soul, and experimental sounds. “It’s not commercial,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in February 2025. “It’s where my artistry deserves to be.” Recent studio sessions with producers like Diplo, Pharrell, and James Fauntleroy, plus potential features from artists like Koffee and A$AP Rocky, have heightened anticipation. A single, “Freeze It,” registered with BMI, hints at a bold lead track.
Rihanna’s ability to juggle motherhood and her $1.4 billion empire—built on Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty—makes her announcement all the more remarkable. Her 2023 Super Bowl halftime show, performed while pregnant with Riot, drew 121 million viewers, proving she can dominate without a new album. Yet, “R9” promises to be her magnum opus, with a rumored 2026 world tour to follow. Drake’s involvement as godfather adds intrigue, with fans wondering if he’ll cameo on the album, perhaps reviving their “Work”-era magic.
A Cultural Moment
Rihanna’s pregnancy, Drake’s godfather role, and the baby’s name have sparked a cultural moment that transcends celebrity gossip. The Navy, Rihanna’s devoted fanbase, has flooded X with memes and excitement, from “Drake holding Rihanna’s baby like it’s his own” to “R9 and a new R-named kid? Rihanna’s winning 2025.” The announcement humanizes Rihanna, showing her ability to mend past rifts while building a future with Rocky. It also underscores her knack for surprises, from her Met Gala reveal to her choice of Drake, a figure tied to her past but now part of her family’s future.
As Rihanna prepares for her third child and “R9,” she’s rewriting the rules of stardom. Her empire, from music to makeup, thrives on authenticity and innovation, and her personal choices reflect that. Drake’s role as godfather, while shocking, symbolizes reconciliation and growth, while the baby’s name—whatever it may be—promises to carry the Fenty-Mayers legacy forward. With the world watching, Rihanna is poised to deliver not just a child, but a cultural reset that will echo for years.
