Heartbreaking meaning behind Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song’s child’s name as major coincidence swayed their decision
Topics: Celebrity, TV And Film, True Life, Home Alone
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, TV And Film, True Life, Home Alone
Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song named their little boy after they spotted a major coincidence in the couple's life prior to meeting.
Naming your future children feels like it would be one of the most impactful decisions you'll ever make.
And in a world where celebrities typically tend to go for non-traditional names for their offspring, the meaning behind Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song's first child's name is both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.
Macaulay himself was one of seven children, but despite living in the spotlight, his journey through life hasn't been without its losses.
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His sister Dakota Culkin, who he was 'very close' to, tragically died after being hit by a car in 2008.
She was just 29 at the time, and had moved to LA to pursue a career in film production.
Their brother, Kieran Culkin, later admitted that he lost a 'big piece of himself' the day Dakota died, telling CBS Sunday Morning: "I only knew who I was because of who my siblings are. So, to lose one was losing a big piece of myself."
Dakota’s friend Andrea Poe also spoke to People magazine about her relationship with her brother Macaulay.
She said: "She was very low-key [about her name], but at the same time proud of her siblings. She was very close to Macaulay. They would talk frequently on the phone or go out to eat."
The Home Alone star had plans to honour his sister's memory, and while on a trip, the two were having a 'what if' conversation.
They talked about having children, and Brenda mentioned that if she ever had kids, she would want their name to be genderless, like Dakota.
Taken aback by the suggestion, Macaulay noted that he always wanted to call his first child Dakota in memory of his sister.
The couple now share two sons; the youngest is three years old - Dakota Song Culkin.
They also have Carson Song Culkin, who is just two years old.
Reflecting on his grief, the actor told the Hollywood Reporter: "I accepted at the time that this is going to be forever, and it's never going to be fine.
"It's always going to be devastating."
He added: "I still weep about it out of nowhere. Something funny she did will pop in the head and make me laugh, and then I'm weeping."
The star also revealed in recent years the toll that his Home Alone fame had on his mental health growing up, with his brother Kieran Culkin - who played cousin Fuller in the film franchise - revealing that he struggled after being sky-rocketed into the spotlight as a child.
"Even at that time, as a kid, I remember thinking, 'That sucks for him,'" Kieran joked last year. Poor f**king guy. He was little and having to try to accept that level of fame as reality."
And by the sounds of things, that level of stardom has left life-long scars on Macaulay, revealing that he even struggles to leave the house when the holiday season comes around.
Discussing the film series in general, the now 44-year-old told talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres, 'I don't really watch them all that often,' describing them as 'background radiation at Christmas time'.
He added: "I've had people want to sit down and watch it with me, which is, like, both flattering and creepy.
"I can't watch it the same way other people do."
Additional words by Rhianna Benson