The 'Million Dollar Baby' actress has shared the stories of how she and husband Philip Schneider picked out the names for their twin baby son and daughter.
- February 20, 2024
AceShowbiz - Hilary Swank's babies are named after a Syrian refugee and "the first universal sound." The 49-year-old actress - who shares 10-month-old daughter and son Aya and Ohm with husband Philip Schneider - has opened up on the meanings behind the monikers she chose for her children.
"Aya was a Syrian refugee we met in Lebanon, so she was just this courageous brave young girl full of light going through a really difficult time My husband and I were like, 'She's so beautiful. What a great name.' And Ohm is considered the first universal sound and unites all people. We thought, 'Oh, that sounds very fitting,' " she told "Today".
The Oscar winning star admitted she was surprised by how "expansive" her love for her children really is. She added, "I think every mom I have heard says, 'Oh, get ready to experience the greatest joy of your life,' and I'm like, 'Oh, no, I know what great joy feels like."
"I have five dogs. I get it. Then you have babies and you are like, 'Oh, the love is so expansive. It is so incredible. It is so joyous and every single day you get to wake up and be with them is my fullest purpose."
Hilary kept her twins' names private until Valentine's Day, February 14 last week when she shared a picture showing the little ones sitting together on a beach with their backs to the camera and their names written in green sea glass.
She captioned the Instagram post, "I have a busy week of talk shows ahead where I'll be sharing about my new film and a fun partnership, but I figured what better day to share the names of my two little loves with you all first. Thanks for being here! P.S. Who else has babies that think sand is edible?"
When asked if the twins have started to talk yet, she told "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon", "My daughter ... the first thing she started ever saying, she sounded like a morning dove. Like just a beautiful little morning dove. And then it turned into a growl. She growls, but like really commits .. [Now] she goes, 'Hi, hi, hi,' to everything." She added son Ohm is "learning everything" and likes to point at things and say, "Ah!"
