When Liam Payne and Cheryl welcomed their son Bear in 2017, they surprised many with their name choice. At the time, Oliver, Harry, and Jack were among the most popular boy names, making Bear stand out even more from the crowd. The couple kept their pregnancy a secret until shortly before Bear was born, but they kept the story behind his name even more secret.
At first, Liam and Cheryl disagreed over what to name their newborn. Cheryl wanted something “unusual,” while Liam was leaning toward a more traditional name. His decision ultimately came down to a special moment during Bear’s birth. As Liam recounted on The Late Late Show with James Corden, the midwife affectionately named the newborn “Little Bear” after a strange mishap in the delivery room.
Liam recalls: “He had this problem where if he didn’t cry properly, fluid would build up in his lungs, which is dangerous. Instead of crying, he said ‘grrrr’. I had ten doctors come to see me, but they all assured me he was fine. It turned out he just liked to make a lot of noise, and that’s how he became Bear.”
At first, Liam wasn’t sure about the name, but over time, he realized it was perfect for his son. “Bear is a name you don’t forget when you leave the room. It stuck, and when I look at him now, it’s just Bear,” Liam said in 2017.
The couple, who had been together for a year before Bear was born, announced their pregnancy quietly but shared their joy with the world when they revealed their son’s arrival. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Liam expressed his admiration for Cheryl’s strength throughout the process, saying: “She truly made my dreams come true.”
A year later, Liam and Cheryl have ended their relationship but have remained united in their love for Bear. They released a joint statement asking for privacy as they co-parent their son.
Liam’s unexpected death on October 16 following a tragic fall in Buenos Aires has left his fans and family in mourning. His funeral will take place on November 20 and his former One Direction bandmates Cheryl and Bear will be among those in attendance to pay their final respects.
