Hey you, Penn Badgleyis setting the record straight.
The You star recently clarified the rumor surrounding the name of his and wife Domino Kirke’s 4-year-old son, which he hasn’t revealed in order to respect his family’s boundaries.
“This is a very weird thing to say, but our littlest, who is 4…his name is not James,” Penn explained in the May 1 episode on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “On Wikipedia, for many years, his name was James and we’d get it removed. But it would go back.”
The 38-year-old—who is also stepdad to Domino’s son Cassius, 16, with musician Morgan O’Kane—didn’t reveal when the misconception started, but he knew he had to “clear the air” sooner than later. In fact, he knew the name error was hitting serious territory once people started to address his son as James.
“There are even people who [are] close to the family who hadn’t seen us in a while—they sent us a card [that] says, ‘To all of us and James,’” he added, before emphasizing his approach in guarding his son’s actual name. “His name, because he’s 4, will remain undisclosed for as long as we can manage.”
Despite the moniker mishap, Penn is confirming one true fact about his son: he’s excited to have baby brothers. After all, the Gossip Girl alum revealed that he and Domino are expecting twin boys later this year.
“He’s stoked because he really wants to be a big brother,” he noted. As for Cassius’ reaction, Penn added, “He’s excited for us, but he’s also like, ‘I’m gonna leave in two years.’”
And similar to his 4-year-old, Penn is also over the moon about becoming a father of four.
“It’s such a nice dose of reality,” the Podcrushed cohost said of his wife’s current pregnancy. “Everytime I see the sonogram, it just feels so good. Also, as an only child, that’s touching to see them together. They’re in there like it’s a hot tub.”
Keep reading to fall in love with Penn and Domino’s years-long romance…
November 2015
After previously dating his Gossip Girl co-star Blake Lively and Zoe Kravitz, Penn Badgley began his romance with Domino Kirke in 2014. The actor and Kirke, a singer and doula, made their first public appearance together at the LoveEMC Fundraiser in New York City on November 12, 2015.
February 2017
The pair were married in a courthouse ceremony on February 27, 2017, and then celebrated with a larger outdoor party later that year. The You star also became stepdad to Kirke’s son Cassius with ex Morgan O’Kane.
April 2017
The couple are somewhat private about their personal lives on social media, but when they have spoken out, it is always adorable. In honor of Kirke’s birthday in 2019, Badgley described her as “a truly radiant soul” and wrote on Instagram, “For me, it is a joy to witness you when you are happy. For you, I always hope to be a source of joy. I’m really glad we’re married.”
September 2019
They cheered on Serena Williams and Roger Federer at the 2019 US Open Tennis Championships in New York.
August 2020
The musician and actor welcomed their first child together in 2020, with Kirke announcing their son’s birth in a since deleted Instagram post.
For Father’s Day 2023, Kirke paid tribute to her husband and partner in parenthood: “To a real, patient, kind, devoted, sexy one… I can say without question there’s no one I’d rather be sleep deprived with. You’re so loved.”
June 2022
Kirke showed her support for the Easy A actor at the launch of his podcast, Podcrushed, in New York City.
October 2022
Later that year, Kirke appeared on the podcast and the pair reminisced about how they met as Badgley was coming off of his Gossip Girl years. “The fact that he was even willing to spend time with me as a mother and explore that was very moving to me,” she said. “I saw how many other places he could’ve gone, the kinds of women he could’ve been with, the spaces he could’ve entered into, that he just didn’t based on who he is.”
March 2023
Despite having two sisters who are actors (Jemima Kirke of Girls fame and Lola Kirke), Kirke told Glamor UK she is “still getting used” to the level of fame that Badgley’s role as You‘s Joe Goldberg has brought into their lives. “It’s very unnatural to be known as well as he’s known right now,” she shared. “It feels kind of strange when we’re out and about to have the amount of people come up to us—it’s pretty crazy, actually.”
October 2024
They enjoyed a glammed up date night at the Giorgio Armani Women’s fashion show in New York City on Oct. 17, 2024. Kirke shared a red carpet photo on Instagram, describing their outing as “the fanciest eve we’ve had in a looong time.”
February 2025
On February 28, 2025, Kirke announced via Instagram that the couple are expecting twins. “Babies #3 and #4 coming this Summer! Talk about a PLOT TWIST! Spontaneous twins are beyond magical. We are stunned. We are in awe. Can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be on this ride with @pennbadgley.”
April 2025
The actor and his pregnant wife stepped out together for the premiere of You Season Five, and Badgley revealed to Access Hollywood that their twins are identical boys. “The world needs more good men,” said Badgley “So, you know, the pressures on us to raise them well.”
September 2025
He announced the birth of their two boys by showing a glimpse of their “tiny” feet while “interrupting twin paternity.”
