October 02, 2017
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
Actor and comedian Kevin Hart speaks to the crowd gathered outside Max's Cheesesteaks at Germantown and Erie avenues on Thursday, July 6. His appearance in the neighborhood where he grew up was part of the city's 'Kevin Hart Day' celebration, during which a portrait of Hart was unveiled by Mural Arts Philadelphia.
Kevin Hart and his wife Eniko Parrish are pressing forward as a couple despite the allegations — and a seeming admission, on stage in Atlanta — that the North Philly native and star comedian engaged in one or more affairs over the summer.
Drama aside, they're also naming their first child together Kenzo. They announced it together during a lavish baby shower held this past weekend at Malibu's Calamigos Beach Club.
Coming from Hart, doesn't this name sound like it could be an odd reference to Kensington? A few people on Twitter sure thought so and had a laugh about it.
Kevin hart is naming his new baby "KENZO" 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭#phillyPeopleKnow
— Artie Gorman🇮🇹🇨🇮 (@GormanArthur) October 2, 2017
On a lighter note: Kevin Hart is from Philly and is still naming his child Kenzo. Ok.
— Queen (@expiredsomeone) October 2, 2017
Kevin Hart being from Philly is naming his kid kenzo, he's gotta see the problem with that
— Ken thompson (@Kthompson1394) October 2, 2017
To be clear, if Kevin Hart named his kid Kenzo in a strange nod to Philadelphia, it would instantly be among his greatest jokes. The evidence overwhelmingly points to much more plausible explanations.
Yes, Hart loves Philly. Philly loves Hart.
I love the shit out of my city....#PhillyKidForLife https://t.co/UQKdHa9DxN
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) February 10, 2017
But Hart isn't from Kensington. He grew up at 13th and Erie, well north and west of Kensington, and made no mention of the neighborhood when he stopped by his first Philly apartment back in February.
Kensington is a place with pride, and lots of it. Kenzo is a kind of noun/adjective used to describe the seedier parts of the neighborhood. It's doubtful Hart would name his kid after some backhanded Philly slang.
The only evidence of Hart having a link to the name Kenzo is from the 2013 BET Awards, when he donned a sweater designed by the French luxury brand of the same name.
Who styles Kevin Hart? I see you in dat new Kenzo bew bew!
— Rr. (@rahaellllll) October 16, 2013
Kevin Hart's $298 Kenzo Eye Print Sweater http://t.co/GwbKmk4BcV
— #Precisely (@Mighty_Million) November 12, 2013
That brand was founded by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada, whose Japanese descent points us to the most logical inspiration for the name. Kenzo, represented in Japanese as 健三, refers to health and wisdom. The name is typically given to a family's third child in Japanese culture.
Kevin Hart and Eniko named their baby Kenzo. Japenese origin meaning wise and three.
— Cee. (@ceedotcee) October 2, 2017
Hart has two children — Heaven, 12, and Hendrix, 9 — from his previous marriage with Torrei Hart. Makes sense.
Earlier this year, Hart told People he would leave the responsibility of naming his next child to his wife under the condition that "Kevin" somehow be a part of the name. At least Eniko gave him the first two letters.
Hart will return to the big screen Dec. 20 with the premiere of "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle."
