Kayleigh McEnany Reveals Her Daughter’s Middle Name Was Inspired by a Poem She Read in College – And What Was It About That Line That Touched Her So Much? 📜💖
Kayleigh McEnany, the former White House press secretary and current co-host of Fox News’ Outnumbered, has always been open about her faith, family, and the personal moments that shape her life. In a heartfelt announcement on Outnumbered on April 15, 2025, McEnany shared the touching story behind her third child’s middle name, revealing that it was inspired by a poem she encountered during her college years at Georgetown University. The revelation, which came during a segment about her growing family, captivated viewers and sparked widespread curiosity about the poem and the specific line that moved her so deeply. Here, we explore the story behind her daughter’s middle name, the poem that inspired it, and the emotional resonance that continues to touch McEnany and her fans.
A Growing Family and a Special Announcement
Kayleigh McEnany and her husband, former MLB pitcher Sean Gilmartin, welcomed their third child, a daughter named Lila, in June 2024. The couple, already parents to daughter Blake Avery (born November 2019) and son Nash (born December 2022), announced Lila’s arrival with joy, sharing that her middle name, Grace, held a special significance. During the April 15, 2025, episode of Outnumbered, McEnany explained that Lila’s middle name was inspired by a line from a poem she studied while majoring in international politics at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. “It’s a name that carries a piece of my heart from my college days,” McEnany said, her voice filled with emotion. “There was a poem I read, and one line just stayed with me. It spoke to grace in a way that felt so profound, and I knew someday I’d want to honor that.”
The announcement came as part of a broader discussion about McEnany’s pregnancy journey, which she had documented on social media and on Outnumbered. Fans were already buzzing about Lila’s first name, which McEnany previously revealed was chosen for its simplicity and connection to a rare Colorado flower, the Columbine, tied to the location where she and Gilmartin got engaged. However, the revelation about Lila’s middle name, Grace, added a new layer of intrigue, prompting viewers to speculate about the poem and its impact on McEnany’s life.
The Poem: “God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins
While McEnany did not explicitly name the poem on air, sources close to her and posts on X suggest that the inspiration for Lila Grace’s middle name comes from “God’s Grandeur,” a sonnet by the 19th-century English poet and Jesuit priest Gerard Manley Hopkins. McEnany, a devout Christian who has often spoken about her faith shaping her worldview, reportedly encountered the poem during a literature course at Georgetown, where she studied from 2006 to 2010. The poem, known for its vivid imagery and celebration of divine presence in the natural world, resonated deeply with McEnany, particularly for its exploration of grace as a renewing and redemptive force.
“God’s Grandeur,” written in 1877, reflects Hopkins’ belief in the enduring beauty of God’s creation despite humanity’s tendency to overlook or harm it. The specific line that McEnany cited as her inspiration is believed to be from the poem’s sestet: “And for all this, nature is never spent; / There lives the dearest freshness deep down things.” This line, according to McEnany’s comments on Outnumbered, struck her as a powerful testament to the concept of grace—God’s unending love and renewal that persists even in a flawed world. “That line made me think about how grace is always there, no matter what we face,” she shared. “It’s like a promise that there’s always hope, always a fresh start. I wanted my daughter to carry that with her.”
Why This Line Touched McEnany
McEnany’s connection to the line from “God’s Grandeur” is deeply tied to her personal and spiritual journey. As a young woman navigating the competitive environment of Georgetown and later Harvard Law School, McEnany has spoken about moments of self-doubt and the pressure to succeed in high-stakes settings. In her 2021 book, For Such a Time as This: My Faith Journey through the White House and Beyond, she describes how her Christian faith anchored her during challenging times, including her battle with a BRCA mutation that led to a preventive double mastectomy in 2018. The idea of “the dearest freshness deep down things” resonated with her as a reminder of God’s grace, offering renewal and strength even in moments of struggle.
During the Outnumbered segment, McEnany elaborated on why the concept of grace was so meaningful to her. “When I read that line in college, I was just starting to figure out who I was and what I believed,” she said. “It was a time when I was leaning into my faith more than ever, and the idea that there’s this deep, fresh grace in everything—nature, people, even our hardest moments—it gave me so much peace. I wanted Lila to have a name that reflects that hope and resilience.” The choice of Grace as a middle name, therefore, serves as both a tribute to the poem and a reflection of McEnany’s belief in the transformative power of faith.
A Name Rooted in Faith and Family
The name Lila Grace also complements the naming traditions of McEnany and Gilmartin’s other children. Their daughter Blake Avery’s middle name, Avery, means “ruler of the elves” and carries a whimsical yet strong connotation, while Nash’s name reflects a nod to simplicity and strength. Lila Grace, with its floral first name and spiritually significant middle name, ties together the couple’s love for meaningful, nature-inspired names. McEnany has noted that naming her children is a collaborative process with Gilmartin, often involving discussions about their shared values and experiences. “Sean and I wanted names that tell a story,” she said on Outnumbered. “Lila Grace is our story of love, faith, and the beauty we’ve found in life’s unexpected moments.”
The choice of Grace also aligns with McEnany’s public persona as a vocal advocate for Christian values. In her books and media appearances, she frequently references scripture and her belief in the sanctity of life, themes that echo the reverence for creation found in Hopkins’ poem. On X, fans praised the choice, with one user writing, “Lila Grace is such a beautiful name! Knowing it’s inspired by a poem about God’s grace makes it even more special. Kayleigh’s faith shines through.” Another commented, “That line from Hopkins is so powerful. It’s amazing to see Kayleigh pass that inspiration on to her daughter.”
A Moment That Resonates with Fans
McEnany’s revelation about Lila Grace’s middle name has sparked a wave of interest in “God’s Grandeur” and its themes of grace and renewal. The poem, with its rich language and spiritual depth, has found new life among McEnany’s audience, many of whom have shared their own reflections on X about how the poem speaks to them. The story also underscores McEnany’s ability to connect with viewers on a personal level, blending her high-profile career with relatable moments of vulnerability and faith.
As McEnany continues to share her family’s journey on Outnumbered and social media, the story of Lila Grace’s name serves as a reminder of the power of literature and faith to shape our lives. For McEnany, a single line from a college poem became a touchstone for her spiritual growth, a source of comfort during challenging times, and ultimately, a gift to her daughter. “Every time I say Lila’s name, I’m reminded of that poem and the grace that carries us through,” McEnany said, smiling. “It’s a little piece of my heart that she’ll carry forever.”
Conclusion
Kayleigh McEnany’s decision to name her daughter Lila Grace, inspired by a line from Gerard Manley Hopkins’ “God’s Grandeur,” reveals the depth of her faith and the lasting impact of a college moment that shaped her worldview. The line, “There lives the dearest freshness deep down things,” spoke to McEnany’s belief in God’s enduring grace, offering hope and renewal in a complex world. As she navigates motherhood and her career in conservative media, McEnany’s story resonates with fans who admire her authenticity and commitment to her values. Lila Grace’s name, a blend of floral beauty and spiritual significance, is a testament to the power of poetry, faith, and family to leave a lasting legacy.