Fans of Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards believe they have uncovered the heartfelt inspiration behind the name of her newborn daughter. The 32-year-old star and her fiancé, footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Alanis Valentine, earlier this month.
The X Factor Connection Behind the Name
Shortly after Perrie announced the unique name, supporters quickly connected the dots to her musical roots. They pointed to her 2011 audition for The X Factor, where a then-teenage Edwards performed a powerful rendition of Alanis Morissette's hit 'You Oughta Know'. The performance impressed judges and secured her place in the next round, ultimately leading to the formation of Little Mix.
This theory was echoed online, with one fan on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting the clip and another on Instagram noting, "Perrie has said she loves Alanis Morissette and if she had a daughter she would name her Alanis." The singer herself confirmed this long-held wish in past interviews. Speaking to BBC Radio 2, she shared: "I've just always loved Alanis because my mam's always loved her, and I always said if I had a little girl in the future if I'm lucky enough I'm going to name her Alanis."
A Journey Through Heartbreak to Happiness
The arrival of baby Alanis marks a profoundly joyful chapter for the couple following a difficult journey. Perrie has spoken candidly about experiencing two devastating miscarriages. The first occurred early in her first pregnancy, before the birth of their son, Axel, now four. She described Axel as her "rainbow baby."
A second, even more traumatic loss happened in 2022 when Perrie was around 24 weeks pregnant while rehearsing for Little Mix's final tour. She recalled the 22-week scan as "the worst day of my life" and detailed the compounded grief of her milk coming in afterwards. "My body was prepared for the baby, but the baby was gone," she told Glamour.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also opened up about the impact, telling The Athletic it took time to feel ready to try again. He praised Perrie's strength, noting how difficult it is "especially for women when they are literally growing another human being inside them."
Celebrating a New Arrival
The couple announced they were expecting their second child in September with a sweet video of Axel kissing Perrie's bump. Their daughter's name, Alanis Valentine, was revealed when Perrie shared the birth news on Instagram, simply captioning a post: "Alanis Valentine." The announcement was met with congratulations from friends and fans, including bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
For Perrie, the name Alanis not only honours a musical icon she has admired since childhood but also symbolises the resilience and love that has brought their family to this moment. The arrival of their daughter closes a chapter of heartache and begins a new one filled with hope.
Support for anyone affected by pregnancy loss is available from the Sands National Helpline on 0808 164 3332 or via helpline@sands.org.uk.
