Jay-Z Reveals That Blue Ivy Was Almost Named Brooklyn

In a recent conversation with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Jay-Z revealed the name he and Beyoncé originally picked for their first child, 11-year-old Blue Ivy Carter, one that paid tribute to her dad’s hometown.

Blue Ivy has been a welcomed special guest at Queen Bey’s Renaissance World Tour, appearing in front of tens of thousands to dance alongside her superstar mom. In addition to expressing his immense pride for his daughter’s inclusion in the show, Jay-Z revealed how Blue Ivy’s original name was supposed to pay homage to a certain New York City borough.

“It was supposed to be Brooklyn,” he told King, according to E! News. However, the name change occurred once Beyoncé was farther along in her pregnancy, as the longtime couple referred to their growing baby fondly as a “blueberry.”

“We was calling her Blueberry. Like, ‘Look at the little blueberry.’ You know, it was like a nickname,” shared the now father of three. “It was just natural. We just took the berry off and called her Blue.”

Clearly, the name stuck, as the young entertainer in the making has been stepping into her own light. Jay-Z also shared how the tween reclaimed her own power by being part of mom’s string of mega-successful concerts, with her debut performance at the Paris show.

“I still get goosebumps seeing her walk on stage,” he shared. “Because Blue’s been born into this world, she’s been born into a life she didn’t ask for. Since she was born, she’s been in scrutiny and everyone has an opinion…So for her to be on that stage and reclaim her power, and the song is called ‘My Power,’ and it’s just—you can’t write a better script.”