Jemaine Clement Welcomes Son Sophocles Iraia

Michael Buckner/Getty

Flight of the Conchords star Jemaine Clement welcomed his first child, a son, last month. New baby Sophocles Iraia Manasiadis Clement was born in New York City, where Jemaine is currently shooting the second season of his quirky HBO show.

According to New Zealand’s The Dominion Post, Sophocles was named after one of the Greek grandfathers of mom Miranda Manasiadis, while Iraia is the name of one of Jemaine’s grandparents. “Sophocles has been described as magnificently cute, with his father’s lips,” the newspaper reports. Jemaine, 34, and Miranda were married in August.

Source: The Dominion Post

Thanks to CBB readers Olivia and Colleen.

Comments

WOW! What a name!

- Amanda K on November 4th, 2008

I generally don’t mind the unusual names but that one might be a tough one to grow up with!

- Nancy on November 4th, 2008

How do you say the name??

- babyboopie on November 4th, 2008

I’m not even going to attempt to say that babies name lol…poor child. He has more letters in his name than the Alphabet… =\

- ERICKA on November 4th, 2008

That name is so “them” though. Does anyone else watch the show? You are missing out if not!

- Brandi on November 4th, 2008

Pronounced Soff-oh-klees

- Holly on November 4th, 2008

Wow! What a name! Sounds like a sneeze!

- Bethy on November 4th, 2008

Sophocles??? Will they name their next kid Homer, Euripides, or Aeschylus?

SOPHOCLES

Gender: Masculine

Usage: Ancient Greek (Latinized)

Pronounced: SAHF-u-kleez (English)

From the Greek name Σοφοκλης (Sophokles), which was derived from Greek σοφος (sophos) “skilled, clever” and κλεος (kleos) “glory”.

- Dierna on November 4th, 2008

I LOVE Flight of the Conchords. Can’t wait for the second season.
Congratulations to the new parents! What a name.
And Brandi, you’re right, I don’t know about his wife, but I wouldn’t have expected anything less from Jemaine, lol.

- lilith on November 4th, 2008

it’s a beautiful name but it will take him awhile to write that one on the chalkboard in preschool

- SH on November 4th, 2008

Sophocles???

LOL. For some reason that is more absurd than Moses to me. I don’t think I could call a little kid that with a straight face. Soph is a cute nickname though.

- poppy on November 4th, 2008

With a name like Sophocles – lets hope that little guy turns out to be as handsome as his dad!

- Nancy S on November 4th, 2008

I hope we get to see a picture of the baby. Jemaine’s very private and there are very few pictures of his wife. I hope they release a pic of the baby.

- Barbara on November 4th, 2008

I love this name. They are of greek heritage so why not give this name to the baby. This name is also comon in Greece these days. I am going to name my baby an old scandinavian and old irish. I think that the names from the heritages are beautiful.

- Nikka on November 4th, 2008

Very brave name choice. Gotta say- I don’t hate it! Sophocles- I am assuming, but I can’t imagine another reason- is a well known name in the Greek tragedy world. I remember that he wrote Antigone- a fave of mine. I find it easy to pronounce- just sound it out.

- Jess from Ohio on November 4th, 2008

Wow, guys, it’s a family name! Remember Aristotle Onassis? Also, to SH – I’ve had similar comments about my daughter’s 9-letter name, and yet I never hear that comment made about the name Elizabeth.

- crimpe on November 4th, 2008

Aw, he’s going to be called ‘Softy’!

- Irishgirl on November 4th, 2008

Congratulations to them! Guess he’s been wearing his business socks! (If you’re not familiar with that phrase, check out Flight of the Conchords video on YouTube for their song “Business Time”)

- Christina on November 4th, 2008

Crimpe, I hope I did not offend you. My 1st sons name is Kristofer so that would be the same amount of letters as Sophocles! My daughter (Ella, kind of an “easy” name) is in preschool right now and it takes her forever to write her name on the chalkboard every day…that is why I made that comment…I already have nightmares on how long I will have to stand there watching my son write his! LOL

- SH on November 4th, 2008

Cool! Congrats. I loved the episode with the singing card!

- Sasha on November 4th, 2008

That is one name!
Goodluck to the little guy when he learns how to write it!

- JAzz on November 4th, 2008

Congrats, Jermaine and that name is very unique and it doesn’t surprise me that he has that name. Flight of the Conchords rocks.

- Molly on November 4th, 2008

ladies, we have a new winner!

- ang on November 5th, 2008

What’s with all the name judging?!? Shall we call all our children John, Mary, David and Susan just so people know how to pronounce or spell them. It’s not their fault if you’ve never heard of Sophocles; and as previous posters have pointed out these are family names and they’re from different cultures where they have different names. Expand your minds a little, people, you might find there’s a big, wide, wonderful world out there! Congrats to Jemaine and Miranda!

- Catherine on November 5th, 2008

Well, it’s better than Pilot Inspektor anyway!

- Ans on November 5th, 2008

Wow, um, okay…. not too sure on this name. Usually, I’m totally for the unique names, but I like to have one amongst the uniqueness that is more what you’d call ‘regular’ so that the child can fall back onto something else if they choose to. Regardless, congrats!

- phoebe on November 5th, 2008

LOL!!! Jermaine, what a wicked name. Yay for culture names. I named my son Malik (pronounced mal-lik, not Ma-leek) and I can’t tell you how many times people wrinkle their nose at that name!

I wouldn’t have expected anything else. You guys should really check out their show – so funny!!!

- Dina on November 5th, 2008

Ummm, his name is Jemaine, not JeRmaine. Since we are on the subject of names, thought those of you that didn’t know might like a clue!

- Smart blondie on November 6th, 2008

It’s a nice name and plenty of Greeks name their children after family. It could be fine in New Zealand as well to have non traditional names. Besides Jemaine being funny as heck and celebrity and all I don’t expect anything less from him.

- Ani on November 6th, 2008