In a heartfelt moment that has captured the attention of millions, Kayleigh McEnany, the former White House Press Secretary and current Fox News co-host, announced the name of her third child on a recent episode of Outnumbered. The announcement, made in early June 2025 shortly after the birth of her son, was filled with the joy and faith that have come to define Kayleigh’s public persona. But while the first name, Zionel, turned heads for its rarity, it’s the baby’s middle name that has sparked a nationwide conversation, igniting debates, admiration, and curiosity across America. What’s behind this unexpected choice, and why has it resonated so deeply?

A Growing Family and a Joyful Announcement 🌟

Kayleigh McEnany, 37, has been a familiar face to Fox News viewers since joining the network in 2021 as a co-host of Outnumbered, alongside Harris Faulkner and Emily Compagno. A devout Christian and staunch conservative, she first rose to prominence as Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary from April 2020 to January 2021, where her sharp wit and meticulous preparation earned her both praise and criticism. Beyond her political career, however, Kayleigh has always emphasized her role as a mother, often sharing glimpses of her family life with her husband, Sean Gilmartin, a former MLB pitcher, and their children.

Kayleigh and Sean, who married in 2017, welcomed their first child, daughter Blake Avery, in November 2019, followed by their son Nash in November 2022. The couple announced their third pregnancy on Outnumbered in March 2025, with Kayleigh promising a gender reveal on the show. True to her word, she later shared that they were expecting a boy, due in June 2025. The announcement was met with excitement from her co-hosts and fans, who have followed her journey as a working mother with admiration. “Sean and I are expecting our third child, which we’re so excited about,” Kayleigh said at the time, quoting Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” Her faith, a cornerstone of her life, has always guided her approach to motherhood, and this pregnancy was no exception.

On June 10, 2025, just days after the birth, Kayleigh returned to Outnumbered to share the news of her son’s arrival. Holding a small ultrasound photo and beaming with pride, she revealed the name: Zionel Valor Gilmartin. The first name, Zionel—a unique blend of “Zion,” meaning heaven or the Promised Land, and “El,” the Hebrew word for God—drew immediate attention for its originality. According to name databases, Zionel is so rare that no other child in the U.S. currently shares it. But it was the middle name, Valor, that truly set tongues wagging, sparking a wave of reactions across social media, news outlets, and even political circles.

The Middle Name That Stole the Spotlight 🏅

While Zionel reflects Kayleigh’s deep Christian faith, the middle name Valor carries a different kind of weight—one that resonates with her conservative values and the current cultural climate in America. In a follow-up segment on Fox & Friends, Kayleigh explained the choice, her voice filled with emotion. “We chose Valor because it represents courage, strength, and the willingness to stand for what’s right, even when it’s hard,” she said. “In a time when our country is so divided, we want our son to grow up knowing the importance of standing firm in his beliefs, just as we’ve tried to do in our lives.”

The name Valor, derived from the Latin valere meaning “to be strong,” is uncommon as a middle name, making it a bold choice that aligns with Kayleigh’s public persona as a fierce defender of conservative principles. Her tenure as White House Press Secretary was marked by her unapologetic support for Trump’s policies, often facing intense scrutiny from the media—a challenge she met with what many describe as valor. By giving her son this name, Kayleigh sends a message about the values she hopes to instill in him, values she believes are under threat in today’s America.

The choice has struck a chord with her audience, particularly among conservative viewers who see Valor as a symbolic stand against what they perceive as a culture of “weakness” and “cancel culture.” On X, fans praised the name, with one user writing, “Kayleigh McEnany naming her son Zionel Valor is a powerful statement! It’s a reminder to stand strong in faith and principles—something America needs right now. ” Another commented, “Valor is the perfect middle name for a boy growing up in these times. Kayleigh and Sean are raising a future leader! 🙌” The name has even inspired some parents to consider similar names for their own children, with “Valor” trending on baby name forums in the days following the announcement.

However, not everyone has embraced the choice. Critics on the left have called the name “ performative,” accusing Kayleigh of using her son’s name to make a political statement. A columnist for a progressive outlet wrote, “Naming a child Valor in 2025 feels like a dog whistle to the MAGA crowd—a way to signal ‘strength’ while ignoring the real issues facing families today.” The debate has spilled over into talk shows and social media, with some arguing that the name reflects a broader cultural divide in America, where even a baby’s name can become a lightning rod for political discourse.

A Name Rooted in Faith and Family 🙏

Despite the controversy, Kayleigh remains unfazed, focusing instead on the joy of welcoming her third child. In her announcement, she shared that her older children, Blake, now 5, and Nash, now 2, have already nicknamed their brother “Zio,” a moniker she and Sean are considering keeping. “Blake is so excited to be a big sister again,” Kayleigh said, laughing. “She keeps kissing my stomach and saying, ‘I love you, Zio!’ It’s been the sweetest thing to watch.” The family plans a quiet, faith-centered celebration to mark Zionel’s arrival, with Kayleigh hinting at a small baptism ceremony in their Tampa hometown, where they maintain a permanent residence.

The name Zionel Valor also reflects the couple’s shared values. Sean Gilmartin, who retired from professional baseball in 2022 after playing for teams like the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays, has been a steadfast supporter of Kayleigh’s career and a devoted father. The couple’s decision to choose names with deep meaning—Blake Avery, Nash, and now Zionel Valor—underscores their commitment to raising their children with a strong sense of identity and purpose. “Every life is a miracle,” Kayleigh said on Fox & Friends. “We’re feeling so blessed right now, and we can’t wait to see the man Zio grows up to be.”

Kayleigh’s Fox News colleagues have also joined in the celebration. Greg Gutfeld, host of Gutfeld!, jokingly offered to be Zionel’s “goduncle,” a comment that drew laughter from the Outnumbered panel. Emily Compagno, who celebrated the birth of Kayleigh’s second child, Nash, in 2022 by quoting James 1:17—“Every good and perfect gift is from above”—shared similar sentiments this time, calling Zionel “a precious blessing.” The support from her Fox News family highlights the network’s tight-knit community, a place Kayleigh has often described as “the most supportive workplace for a working mom.”

A Name That Sparks a Movement 🌍

The buzz around Zionel Valor’s name has extended beyond social media, with baby name experts noting a potential trend. According to data from the Social Security Administration, names with virtuous or heroic meanings—like Valor, Honor, and Brave—have seen a slight uptick in popularity in recent years, particularly among conservative families. Kayleigh’s choice may accelerate this trend, as parents look for names that reflect their values in an increasingly polarized world. “Kayleigh McEnany isn’t just naming a child—she’s starting a conversation,” said a baby name consultant on a popular parenting podcast. “Valor could become the next big name for boys in 2026.”

For Kayleigh, however, the focus remains on her family. In a recent Instagram post, she shared a photo of her holding Zionel, with Blake and Nash peering curiously at their new brother. “Our hearts are full,” she captioned the image, adding a Bible verse from Psalm 127:3: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” The post received thousands of comments from fans, many of whom echoed her sentiment about the importance of faith and family.

As America continues to talk about Zionel Valor Gilmartin, one thing is clear: Kayleigh McEnany has once again found a way to make headlines, this time not through political commentary but through the deeply personal act of naming her child. Whether you see the name as a bold statement, a heartfelt tribute, or a bit of both, it’s undeniable that Kayleigh’s choice has sparked a conversation that transcends the nursery. In a divided nation, Zionel Valor’s name stands as a reminder of the values that matter most to Kayleigh—faith, courage, and the enduring power of family. 💖