Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck’s Child Seraphina, 15, Debuts a New Name
At a touching family gathering, Seraphina Affleck revealed their chosen name, marking a new chapter in their life's story. This act joins a growing trend among celebrity kids courageously stepping into their own truths and preferred identities.
Fin Affleck and Emme Muñiz spotted leaving the "Into the Woods" Broadway musical in New York City on August 14, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Recently, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's 15-year-old made the public aware at a family event that they have a new name: Fin Affleck. This happened at a memorial service for Jennifer's dad, William Jack Garner, held at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston, West Virginia.
Fin and Ben Affleck with Jennifer Garner spotted out in Los Angeles, California on February 6, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
This was the first time Fin used their new name in public. Wearing a chic black suit and sporting a buzz-cut hairstyle, Fin—previously known as Seraphina Rose Affleck—approached the lectern and introduced themselves with, "Hello my name is Fin Affleck."
Fin then proceeded to read a verse from the Bible that highlights how qualities like benevolence and honesty outweigh the materialistic value of being a bad person with a lot of wealth.
William and Jennifer Garner pictured going down a water slide posted on April 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
The service was to remember Jennifer's dad who had died a week before at 85 years old. Jennifer had initially publicized her father's passing by posting a tribute to him on Instagram, which mentioned how kind, strong, and doting he was.
William Garner posing for a picture posted on April 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
She also emphasized how much of an impactful life he led and spoke about the lasting legacy he created for his family, a legacy which is now passed down to Fin and their siblings.
As the middle child of three, Fin has an older sister, Violet Affleck, who is 18, and a younger brother, Samuel Affleck, who is 12. Though their parents separated in 2015 and officially divorced in 2018, they still get along well for the sake of their children.
Violet, Samuel, and Fin Affleck with Jennifer Garner spotted out in Los Angeles, California on August 3, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
In 2022, Ben married famous musician, Jennifer Lopez, blending both of their families with the addition of Jennifer's twins Emme and Max Muñiz. Like their stepsibling Fin, whom they share a great relationship with, Emme uses they/them pronouns.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez with some of their children: Max Muñiz, Emme Muñiz and Fin Affleck spotted out in Paris, France on July 23, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Fin’s new name is a big change from their original name, Seraphina, which means "ardent" and “fiery” in Hebrew. It is also commonly used as a nickname for names like Finegan, Serafin, and Finian. According to a media source, their name was inspired by Seraphim angels and is one of the top-searched names on Nameberry.
Fin Affleck and Jennifer Garner spotted out in Los Angeles, California on April 5, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
The same source explains that these angels hold particular significance because of their six wings and the fact that they are the "highest-ranking angels." In choosing the name for their teen, Jennifer Garner and Ben made it popular in contemporary spaces.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner spotted during a Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees game on October 1, 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Drawing back to Fin's journey of self-discovery, in them boldly asserting how they want to be addressed, Fin follows the same path as many other celebrity kids. This path sees them choose how they want to tell their own stories about who they are.
Fin Affleck and Emme Muñiz spotted out in Paris, France on July 25, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have mentioned how their child, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt preferred dressing like a boy as a kid and wanted to be called "John or Peter."
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt at the premiere of "Unbroken" in Hollywood, California on December 15, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
Similarly, other stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and Dwyane Wade have shared their stories about supporting their kids who have come out as transgender.
Zaya and Dwyane Wade at the Disney premiere of "Cheaper by the Dozen" in Hollywood, California on March 16, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
When it comes to defining oneself, names and pronouns hold a significant level of importance as they can say a lot about who we are as people. As Fin Affleck starts using their new name, they are adding to a bigger conversation about the value of individuals embracing who they are.
Ben and Fin Affleck spotted out in Los Angeles, California on November 24, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
Though their name might be new, this change is not the first time Fin has boldly embraced their self-identity. Earlier this year, they were seen rocking a vibrant hairstyle, exhibiting another form of self-expression.
They debuted a pink buzz cut, igniting a spectrum of reactions on social media. The change was revealed during a family outing in West Hollywood.
Fin Affleck and Emme Muñiz walking toward a thrift shop posted on February 11, 2024 | Source: YouTube/X17onlineVideo
Accompanied by their father and Jennifer Lopez's child, Emme, they were seen visiting a thrift store. They walked out with bags after shopping around. While Fin wore a flannel shirt with a T-shirt underneath and Adidas sneakers, Emme opted for shorts, a baggy hoodie, and Converse sneakers.
Emme Muñiz, Fin and Ben Affleck leaving a thrift store, posted on February 11, 2024 | Source: YouTube/X17onlineVideo
Social media responses to Fin's new hairstyle were diverse. Comments included observations on their resemblance to their father, with one user noting, "Wow, she looks like her dad." Similarly, another expressed, "She does look like her dad. She's beautiful."
Fin and Ben Affleck spotted out in Paris, France on July 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Others expressed concerns about youth trends, with remarks such as, "They are destroying the youth in society today. Unfortunately, the parents are allowing it to happen." Some comments, however, celebrated this phase of exploration, stating, "Totally normal youth behavior. Just deal," and "I love her hair!"
Ben and Fin Affleck spotted at a thrift store, posted on February 11, 2024 | Source: YouTube/X17onlineVideo
Personal anecdotes were also shared, with individuals recounting their own or their children's experiences during adolescence, highlighting the variety of ways young people express themselves. In this regard, someone else explained, "My daughter dressed like a Tomboy at that age and so did I."
Fin Affleck and Emme Muñiz spotted at a thrift store, posted on February 11, 2024 | Source: YouTube/X17onlineVideo
The reaction to Fin Affleck's hair reflects broader societal conversations about youth and self-expression. Through the lens of this family outing, the public discourse navigates the complexities of individuality, parental guidance, and societal expectations.
Fin Affleck spotted at a thrift store, posted on February 11, 2024 | Source: YouTube/X17onlineVideo
Though their hair color was new, the teen was spotted sporting a buzz cut a few days earlier, as we previously reported on February 9. Fin was photographed while waiting for their school bus with their mom.
Photos shared online showed Fin wearing jeans, a beige sweater, and an olive-colored backpack, sporting a buzz cut. This edgy hairstyle change came after the teenager, who also wore earphones, was seen with a bob late last year. Images of Fin, born on January 6, 2009, prompted diverse comments from the public.
Of the young adolescent's appearance, one person noted, "She looks like her dad with that shaved hair." Similarly, another reiterated, "She looks like her father." Someone else stated, "Sad what happened to this kid."
Ben and Fin Affleck spotted in Paris, France on July 25, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Other social media users praised Fin's hair, citing their opinions that they look good with a buzz cut. In this regard, one fan gushed, "It looks so cute on her!! So many women shave their heads in fashion."
An admirer swooned, "Very adorable 💜." Another social media user expressed, "Paying homage to Demi Moore! Showing her own style! I say a little color will make it pop!"
Ben and Fin Affleck spotted in Paris, France on July 26, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Although Fin, whose doting parents revealed their lovely name to media outlets seven days after they were born, has garnered significant traction online, they do not have a social media account. This decision was previously discussed by Jennifer Garner, who has kept her children off of social media.
Last year, Jennifer shared a conversation she had with her children. The "13 Going on 30" star divulged, "I just said to my kids, 'Show me the articles that prove that social media is good for teenagers, and then we'll have that conversation.'"
Violet, Fin and Samuel Affleck with Jennifer Garner at the latter's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in Hollywood, California on August 20, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
Jennifer went on to say that so far, her eldest daughter, Violet, has been appreciative of her mom's decision not to allow them on social media. As a mother of two kids in their teens and with a son on the verge of teenagehood, the loving mom understands how "hard" it is "to be an adolescent."
Violet Affleck and Jennifer Garner at the White House state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington, DC on December 1, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
As far as how Violet, Fin, and Samuel's doting dad feels about social media, the "Air" talent previously expressed, "I got to a place where [the public perception] was so different from who I am that I just stopped reading and stopped caring."
Samuel, Ben and Violet Affleck spotted in Los Angeles, California on August 11, 2013 | Source: Getty Images
However, Ben also spoke about the difficulty he experiences as his children get older and get more exposed to the internet. He specifically mentioned the false rhetoric that he is miserable based on pictures of his facial expressions.