Rihanna, the Barbadian superstar and Fenty mogul, is once again commanding global attention as she nears the birth of her third child with A$AP Rocky. With her due date reportedly set for late June or early July 2025, anticipation is at an all-time high. While Rihanna has kept details about the baby’s gender and name tightly under wraps, her latest maternity photoshoot, unveiled on June 18, 2025, has sent fans into a frenzy. A hidden symbol in the shoot, spotted by eagle-eyed followers, is now fueling speculation that it could reveal the name of her unborn child.
Rihanna’s Stunning Maternity Shoot
Rihanna, 37, and A$AP Rocky, 36, have a knack for turning personal milestones into cultural moments. The couple, parents to sons RZA Athelston Mayers (born May 2022) and Riot Rose Mayers (born August 2023), announced their third pregnancy at the 2025 Met Gala, where Rihanna’s custom Marc Jacobs suit showcased her baby bump in show-stopping fashion. Known for redefining maternity style, Rihanna’s latest photoshoot, shared on her Instagram and Fenty Beauty accounts, takes her iconic aesthetic to new heights.
Shot by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, the maternity photos feature Rihanna in a series of breathtaking looks, from a flowing Savage X Fenty gown in soft lavender to a bold, jewel-encrusted bodysuit. Set against a tropical Barbados backdrop, the images capture Rihanna’s radiant glow and unapologetic confidence. However, it’s a subtle detail—a hidden symbol woven into the shoot’s imagery—that has fans buzzing. In one photo, Rihanna cradles her bump while standing beside a floral arrangement, and fans believe a specific flower or pattern holds a clue to the baby’s name.
The Hidden Symbol: A Name Clue?
The symbol in question, spotted by fans on X and Instagram, appears in a photo where Rihanna wears a sheer dress adorned with embroidered flowers. Some claim the flowers resemble hibiscus, Barbados’ national flower, while others point to a rose motif, tying to her son Riot’s middle name. A few fans have even suggested the symbol is a stylized letter “R” hidden in the background, consistent with the couple’s naming tradition for RZA and Riot. Posts on X are abuzz with theories: “That hibiscus in Rihanna’s shoot screams a girl named Ruby or Rose!” one user wrote, while another speculated, “The ‘R’ in the background means another R-name—Royal for a boy!”
The speculation intensified when fans noticed a necklace Rihanna wore in the shoot, featuring a pendant that some believe resembles a rune or musical note. This has led to guesses about names like Rune, Rhythm, or Raven, aligning with Rihanna’s hint in a June 2025 Elle interview that she’s narrowed the baby’s name down to “three powerful words.” The Navy, Rihanna’s devoted fanbase, is dissecting every frame of the shoot, convinced the symbol is a deliberate clue from the couple known for their cryptic reveals.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s Name Game
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have a history of choosing bold, music-inspired names for their children. RZA honors the Wu-Tang Clan legend, while Riot reflects A$AP Rocky’s collaboration with Pharrell Williams. Fans expect the third child’s name to follow this “R” tradition, with guesses ranging from Reign or Ruby for a girl to Royal or Rebel for a boy. Rihanna’s decision to wait until birth to finalize the name, as shared in her Elle interview, adds to the intrigue. “We’ll know the name when we see the baby’s face,” she said, echoing A$AP Rocky’s sentiment that “the vibe has to be right.”
The maternity shoot’s symbol has become the latest puzzle piece, with fans linking it to Rihanna’s Barbadian heritage or the couple’s love for music and art. Some even speculate the symbol could tie to A$AP Rocky’s custom nursery mural, which has already sparked gender debates, or the handmade baby journal from Jay-Z and Beyoncé with its mysterious locked page.
Family Preparations and Celebrity Support
As Rihanna’s due date approaches, she’s reportedly choosing between giving birth in Barbados, where she feels connected to her roots, or Los Angeles, the birthplace of her sons. A source told People on June 19, 2025, “Rihanna’s torn between Barbados for family vibes and L.A. for top-notch care.” Her hands-on approach to motherhood, despite running Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, continues to inspire. She’s often seen with RZA and Riot, balancing her empire with family life.
A$AP Rocky, fresh off a legal victory in a 2021 assault case, is equally involved, designing a custom nursery that’s already generating buzz. The couple’s A-list circle has also showered them with gifts, from Beyoncé’s rumored $35,000 nursery set to Adele’s alleged hand-embroidered blanket. The journal from Jay-Z and Beyoncé, with its locked page, complements the maternity shoot’s mystery, keeping fans hooked on every detail.
Fan Frenzy and Cultural Impact
The Navy is in full detective mode, with X and Instagram flooded with theories about the shoot’s hidden symbol. One user posted, “Rihanna’s maternity shoot is a whole treasure hunt—that flower is definitely a name clue!” Another joked, “RiRi’s out here hiding baby names in hibiscus petals while I can’t even pick a Netflix show.” The speculation underscores Rihanna’s cultural dominance, as her pregnancy milestones—from Met Gala reveals to cryptic photoshoots—become global events.
The maternity shoot also highlights Rihanna’s influence on maternity fashion, redefining it with bold, inclusive looks that resonate with fans worldwide. Her ability to blend personal moments with public spectacle keeps her at the forefront of pop culture, with every symbol and gesture sparking conversation.
What’s Next for the Fenty-Rocky Family?
As Rihanna and A$AP Rocky await their third child, fans are also clamoring for updates on “R9,” her long-awaited ninth album. She teased progress at the 2025 Met Gala, saying, “Music’s coming, but this baby’s the priority.” A$AP Rocky, meanwhile, is juggling fatherhood with new music and fashion projects, cementing their status as a creative power couple.
The hidden symbol in Rihanna’s maternity shoot has become the latest obsession for fans, who see it as a breadcrumb leading to the baby’s name. Whether it’s a hibiscus hinting at Ruby, a rose for Reign, or an “R” for Royal, the Navy will keep sleuthing until the truth is revealed. Until then, Rihanna’s pregnancy continues to light up the world, one symbolic snapshot at a time.