On a late August call, Ashanti dished out some adorable details about her and Nelly’s newborn son. She revealed that the name, Kareem Kenkaide Hayes, carries special significance that reflects both their families.
According to Ashanti, Nelly was incredibly thoughtful in choosing the name. “His dad named him with a lot of pride,” she said. “We were going back and forth for a long time on his name, and he was very adamant. He was like, ‘This is what I want! I love this!’” Ashanti found it touching and sweet because Kenkaide is her dad’s name. With only daughters in her family, it was a heartfelt nod to her father. “So Nelly was just like, ‘I think that will be really, really dope.’ And this was all his idea,” she shared.
And let’s not forget the meaning of Kareem, which stands for generous, kind, noble, dignified, bountiful, and having dignity. Ashanti found it “so cute!” Kareem arrived on July 18, but the couple kept it under wraps until August 21, when Ashanti shared the news on Instagram. She posted, “Funny how life’s plans aren’t…always on time.. lol,” referencing her 2001 hit song.
Ashanti has long awaited motherhood, and she’s embracing every moment of it. “I’ve been waiting to be a mom for a long time now, but nothing could prepare me for EVERYTHING motherhood brings!” she exclaimed. She’s proud of her body and all that it has achieved. “I’m so proud of my body for giving me my baby, baby, baby, baby, baby,” she added.
The couple has been masters of secrecy, keeping not just their baby but also their marriage out of the public eye. They tied the knot on December 27, 2023, but it wasn’t until TMZ revealed their marriage record in June 2024 that fans knew. The document showed it was official in St. Louis County, likely in Nelly’s hometown.
Engagement news also came as a surprise to many. Ashanti had only confirmed it in April. She recalled the moment Nelly proposed as “a beautiful, intimate moment.” They were lying in bed, watching TV in T-shirts and boxers, which made the surprise all the more “shocking.” “I cried. I gave him the biggest hug and kiss ever. I FaceTimed everyone I know,” she said, overwhelmed with emotions.
The pair rekindled their romance last year, and it seems their love story has only grown stronger since.
Ashanti and Nelly have had a year full of delightful surprises. From the birth of their son Kareem to their secret marriage, these two know how to keep the excitement alive.
