Jennifer Garner Steps Out with Her Child, 15, Who Just Debuted a New Name, Sparking Fan Discussion

Fin Affleck's first public appearance post-name change has ignited a wave of reactions online. This pivotal moment highlights the ongoing conversation around identity and acceptance in the spotlight.

Fifteen-year-old Fin Affleck stepped into the public eye for the first time since debuting their name change. A media outlet reported that the adolescent was on their way to see their mom, Jennifer Garner, who had her nails done at a nail salon while waiting for Fin.

Fin sported a buzz cut, an oversized T-shirt with sleeves that cleverly mimicked tattooed arms, and cargo shorts for their outing.

Although they only recently addressed themselves as Fin, the teen had given subtle hints of their self-discovery journey way before publicizing their new name. Eagle-eyed fans previously spotted "Fin" embroidered on a backpack they carried during a routine school bus drop-off earlier this year in Brentwood, LA.

Even before that, Fin had been photographed rocking boyish haircuts and dressing in masculine attire on several occasions, most notably while out with their close step-sibling Emme Muñiz. Both of them use gender-neutral pronouns.

Fin's most recent sighting has garnered wide-scale attention from social media users. In addition to criticizing Fin and their parents, many claimed that Emme has had an undue influence on Fin.

“Influenced by JLo’s they/them daughter, Emme. A middle child screaming for attention from her father” commented one user.

Similarly, another added, “She spent some time with her step sibling and this is what came of it. She seems so sad.” Another person claimed, "This is what happens when your kids hangout with JLo's kids."

Someone else who had strong views on how Fin is raised wrote, “How old is this girl?? Just curious as to why parents agree to allow kids [to get] tattoos under the age of 18???? Also, changing their names??? Parents have stopped being parents. Want to be friends instead.”

In response to the aforementioned comment, a fan clarified, “UH, that’s a T SHIRT, NOT tattoos!” Referencing Fin's mom, another social media user said, "I've known about this for a long time but to be honest I'm surprised Garner allowed it. She's very traditional."

Although there were a lot of negative comments shared, there were some people who showed Fin and her mom support. “Traditional but supportive and loves her child unconditionally so I’m not surprised,” expressed a fan.

Like the "Alias" star, Emme's mom, Jennifer Lopez, is also extremely supportive of Emme. The music icon has taken opportunities to embrace her child's expressions of self-identity, like at the 2022 LA Dodgers Foundation's Blue Diamond Gala where they both performed.

Jennifer addressed Emme by her preferred pronouns while talking to the audience: "They cost me when they come out, but they're worth every single penny because they're my favorite duet partner of all time."

Despite what naysayers have to say about both Fin and Emme and how they choose to express themselves, they have the unconditional love of their doting family. In addition to both Jennifers, their blended family includes dad, Ben Affleck, and siblings, Violet and Samuel Affleck and Max Muñiz.

On several occasions, their blended family unit has been spotted enjoying life's simple pleasures together—from relaxing on a yacht in Paris to magical days at Disneyland.

From spending quality family time together to allowing their kids to be true to who they are, Fin Affleck and Emme's parents foster safe spaces for their kids to express themselves.

A prime example of such an instance was when Fin was free to state their new name at their grandfather's memorial service, as we previously reported.

The memorial service for William Jack Garner (where Ben and Jennifer's teen announced their new name) was held at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston, West Virginia last weekend.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Similarly, other stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and Dwyane Wade have shared their stories about supporting their kids who have come out as transgender.

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.

Though their name might be new, this change is not the first time Fin has boldly embraced her 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.

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.

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."

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!"

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."

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.

Though their hair color was new, the teen was spotted sporting a buzz cut before dyeing it pink, which 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."

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!"

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.'"

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."

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."

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.