Hilaria Baldwin, wife of actor Alec Baldwin, recently welcomed their seventh child. However, the excitement over the new arrival has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding the baby’s name and ongoing criticism of Hilaria’s claims of Spanish heritage, which many have previously questioned as misleading.
Note: We are republishing this story, which originally made headlines in September 2022.
In 2020, it was revealed that Hilaria was actually born in Boston. She was long believed to have Spanish roots.
This sparked skepticism about her authenticity. Especially after incidents like her infamous struggle to recall the English word for “cucumber”.
She had previously gone by the name Hilary. And this further fueled the debate.
Now, with the birth of their seventh child, the Baldwins have once again come under fire. This time over the name they chose: Ilaria Catalina Irena. The backlash was immediate, with social media users criticizing the choice.
One Twitter user labeled it a “fake Spanish name from a Boston-born mom,” while another questioned why none of the Baldwin children’s names reflected American heritage, even for their middle names. Others took issue with Hilaria’s continued efforts to embrace a Spanish identity, with some speculating that fame had clouded the couple’s judgment.
One commentator even quipped that Hilaria should change her name to “Hilarious,” highlighting the perceived irony of her attempts to embody Spanish culture.
In a December 2020 interview with The New York Times, Hilaria addressed the accusations, attributing the “cucumber” incident to nerves during an early live TV appearance. She also blamed an error in her management agency’s online bio, which incorrectly stated she was born in Mallorca.
Transition from Hilary to Hilaria
She explained that it was a name her Spanish family had always used for her. While acknowledging that she was born in Boston, she maintained that she has always been open about her background, emphasizing that she spent time in both the U.S. and Spain and that her family currently resides in Spain.
This latest controversy reignites debate over Hilaria Baldwin’s cultural identity and authenticity. The scrutiny surrounding her daughter’s name adds another layer to the ongoing discourse, with public opinion divided on whether the Baldwins are genuinely celebrating their heritage or engaging in cultural appropriation. As Hilaria faces renewed attention, the conversation about fame, identity, and public perception continues.
