You’ve probably seen the name "James" floating around every time someone mentions Penn Badgley’s kids. It was on Wikipedia. It was in news snippets. It was basically accepted as gospel by the internet for nearly half a decade.
But here’s the thing: it’s totally wrong.
In May 2025, the You star finally sat down with Jimmy Fallon and pulled the rug out from under everyone. He didn't just correct a typo; he basically admitted that a massive chunk of the internet—and even some of his own friends—had been living a lie.
The Mystery of Penn Badgley Son Name
Penn Badgley and his wife, Domino Kirke, are notoriously private. When their first biological son was born in August 2020, they didn't do a big magazine spread or a curated Instagram reveal. They just... existed as a family.
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In that vacuum of information, the internet did what it does best: it filled in the blanks. Somehow, the name "James" became attached to their son. It stayed on Wikipedia for years. Badgley told Fallon that they would literally go in and delete it, only for some helpful stranger to "correct" it back to James a few hours later.
It got so bad that people close to the family—folks who hadn't seen them in a while—were sending birthday cards addressed to "James."
Imagine being a parent and getting mail for a kid who doesn't exist. Penn described it as "very weird." He finally used his platform to clear the air because, honestly, the confusion was getting out of hand. But even while debunking the "James" myth, he stayed true to his private nature. He didn't drop the real name.
As of early 2026, Penn Badgley’s son's name remains undisclosed. He’s currently five years old, and Penn is adamant about keeping that part of his life away from the public eye for as long as possible. He did tease that it’s a "good name," but that’s all we’re getting for now.
Growing the Family: Twins and Stepsons
The household has actually gotten a lot more crowded lately. If you haven't been keeping up with the Badgley-Kirke clan, they’ve officially moved into "boy dad" territory.
- Cassius Riley: This is Domino’s son from her previous relationship with musician Morgan O'Kane. He’s about 17 now. Penn has been very open about the difference between being a biological dad and a stepdad. On the Modern Love podcast, he mentioned that since Cassius has a father who is very present, Penn’s role is "something else"—a mentor, a friend, a steady presence, but not a replacement.
- The "Not James" Son: Born in August 2020. He’s the one everyone was confused about. He’s reportedly very excited about his new role as a big brother.
- The Twins: In late summer 2025, the couple welcomed identical twin boys. Penn announced it in the most "Penn" way possible—a quiet Instagram video where he whispered so he wouldn't wake them up, showing only their tiny feet.
Why the Privacy Matters
In a world where most celebrity kids have their own Instagram handles before they can walk, Penn Badgley and Domino Kirke are outliers. They aren't trying to be "mysterious" for the sake of branding.
Domino, a singer and doula, has been candid about their journey to parenthood, which included two heart-wrenching miscarriages before their first son was born. That kind of trauma often changes how you view the "sacredness" of family life. For them, keeping the Penn Badgley son name private isn't a PR stunt; it’s a protective measure.
Penn has often spoken about the "pressure" of raising boys in today's world. During his press tour for the final season of You, he told Access Hollywood that the world needs more "good men," and he feels the weight of that responsibility. It’s hard to raise a "good man" when he’s being dissected by millions of strangers on the internet before he even hits kindergarten.
Navigating the "Gossip Girl" Legacy
It’s ironic, isn't it? The guy who played Dan Humphrey—the literal Gossip Girl—is now the king of keeping secrets.
Penn seems to have a complicated relationship with fame. He knows his fans are curious, and he’s not ungrateful, but he draws a very hard line at his front door. He’s even mentioned that his eldest biological son once saw him on a screen when he accidentally turned on You and recognized him. That’s a "real dose of reality" for a parent who spends his professional life playing a stalker and his private life being a "hands-on" dad who uses night nurses to handle twin feedings.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking for the name of Penn Badgley's son, you're not going to find it on a reputable site yet—and that's by design. Here is how to navigate the information:
- Ignore Wikipedia: As Penn himself confirmed, the "James" entry was a long-running error. If you see it, it’s fake.
- Respect the Boundary: The couple has explicitly stated they want the name to remain undisclosed for the safety and privacy of their child.
- Focus on the Milestones: Instead of the name, fans can follow the family's journey through their creative projects, like Penn’s podcast Podcrushed or his book of essays Crushmore, where he often shares broader reflections on fatherhood without compromising his kids' identities.
The takeaway? Sometimes the most interesting thing about a celebrity isn't the detail they give you, but the one they choose to keep for themselves.