Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan recently shared rare insights into his personal life, specifically, how his children got their names on Aap Ki Adalat with veteran journalist Rajat Sharma. On the show, Aamir Khan reflected on the stories behind the names of his three children – Junaid, Ira, and Azad.
In a moment during the interview, Sharma noted the sequence of Aamir’s relationships – his first wife Reena, his second wife Kiran, and jokingly predicted the name of a possible third wife, “Gauri,” referring to Aamir’s current partner, Gauri Spratt. The actor responded with a sheepish grin and crossed fingers, before addressing a question that has often intrigued fans – Why do his children’s names seem to avoid reflecting the religious backgrounds of their mothers?
Aamir explained, “The names of my children were chosen entirely by my wives. I had no say in the matter. You’re a husband too, you know how it is. Husbands usually don’t get to decide. It was Reena who picked the names Junaid and Ira.”
He elaborated on the meaning of his daughter Ira’s name, pointing out its cultural significance. “Ira is another name for Goddess Saraswati. Have you heard of Irawati? Ira is a shorter version of that. Reena actually found the name in Maneka Gandhi’s Book of Hindu Names.”
When asked about his youngest son, Azad, Khan revealed that the name was selected by his second wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao, as a tribute to India’s prominent freedom fighter, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Khan, who is a descendant of the national leader, spoke with pride about the inspiration behind the choice.
“Maulana Azad made immense sacrifices for our country’s freedom. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Nehru, Gandhi, and Sardar Patel. He’s a huge inspiration to us, so Kiran suggested we name our son Azad.”
Khan also emphasised the broader, inclusive meaning of the name. “Azad isn’t a Muslim name. Have you heard of Chandrashekhar Azad? It’s a name rooted in the idea of freedom. It doesn’t belong to any one religion, and that’s why we loved it.”
For context, Aamir Khan married Reena Dutta in 1986. Together they have two children, Junaid and Ira. The couple separated in 2002. In 2005, Khan married Kiran Rao, with whom he had his son Azad in 2011. Although the two announced their separation in 2021, they continue to share parenting responsibilities. In recent years, Khan has been in a relationship with Gauri Spratt, who made her first public appearance with the actor during his 60th birthday celebrations.