The meaning behind Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' children's names

Blake and Ryan defied tradition when naming their first child James. Traditionally a masculine name, their nine-year-old daughter's unusual name comes from the Hebrew name Jacob and means 'holder of the heel'. Popular from Biblical times, in the Bible James was the son of Zebedee. 

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In the Bible, James was the son of Zebedee, whose name meant "gift from God." It was also the name of two of Jesus’s apostles. Throughout history, the name also has Scottish roots, with several Scottish kings being named James over the centuries. 

However, it appears that Blake and Ryan had a more simple reason for their decision, and named James after Ryan's father, who passed away shortly after she was born. Speaking about the situation, Ryan said: "It felt right. He got to see her, which makes me happy." 

Inez, seven, has a name with Spanish origins. Taken from the Latin word 'innoceus', Inez translates to pure or innocent, aw! While Blake and Ryan have remained more tight-lipped on why they picked the sweet name, Blake clarified the spelling with People, saying: "I had a new baby, Inez, with a 'z' even though everyone says it's with an 's.' I don't know why. Please tell Wikipedia." 

Four-year-old Betty's name may have inspired Taylor Swift's Folklore hit Betty, but where did the name originate from? Speaking about the name in a press release for her drinks range, Betty Buzz, Blake explained: "My dad's name was Ernest Brown Jr., but he was known as Ernie Lively. 

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"He gave up his last name when he married my mom and any success he, or I, have experienced has been in a name that isn't his. So when I was working hard to build this company, I wanted any success to be in a name that was meaningful to him. Betty was his mom and his sister's name.

Baby Olin, one, is the Reynolds' youngest child and only son. The one-year-old has a Swedish name which means "ancestor, to inherit, legacy, from the low-lying land". It shares similarities to names like Colin, Orion or Oliver. 

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Ryan shared his son's name after they kept it private for a year while at the premiere for Deadpool and Wolverine. After naming them all, he added: "I love that my entire family is here."