Molly-Mae Hague has publicly clarified the real inspiration behind the name of her newborn son, Midas, after widespread assumptions online linked it to Greek mythology. The explanation came in a recent YouTube vlog, where she addressed the speculation and shared a more personal and unexpected origin story for the name.
The former Love Island star, aged 27, recently welcomed her second child with her partner, Tommy Fury, who is also 27 years old. The couple introduced their baby boy’s name to the public in a highly visible way, when Fury wore shorts featuring the name “Midas” during his boxing match against Eddie Hall in Manchester on June 13. The reveal immediately drew attention from fans and media, sparking curiosity about why the pair had chosen such a distinctive name.
Many people naturally assumed that the name Midas was inspired by the well-known figure from ancient mythology, the king whose touch famously turned everything into gold. In traditional Greek storytelling, King Midas is granted a wish that initially appears to be a blessing, allowing him to transform anything he touches into gold. However, the story quickly becomes a cautionary tale when he realizes the devastating consequences of his gift. He is unable to eat or drink without turning his food and water into gold, and in some versions of the myth, he even accidentally turns his own daughter into gold. The narrative is often used to illustrate the dangers of greed and the unintended consequences of unchecked desires. The expression “the Midas touch” has since entered modern language, often used to describe someone who is highly successful or able to turn opportunities into profit, though it also carries subtle warnings about excess and overreach.
Despite these widespread associations, Molly-Mae Hague explained that the mythological connection was not the reason behind the naming choice. She directly addressed the misunderstanding in her vlog, noting that while she understands why people made the assumption, it simply was not the inspiration she and Tommy Fury had in mind. She mentioned that the couple had actually been considering the name for quite some time, long before their son was born, and that it had been on their shortlist for several years as a potential name for a boy.
She also pointed out that she had seen various online comments suggesting that the name was chosen specifically because of King Midas and his mythological story, and she wanted to correct that impression. According to her, while she does appreciate the symbolism of the phrase “everything he touches turns to gold,” she did not select the name based on the ancient tale itself. Instead, she emphasized that the meaning people attach to names can vary widely, and that not every name associated with cultural references is necessarily chosen because of that reference.
In the same vlog, she revealed a more surprising and less expected source of inspiration. The name Midas, she explained, actually came from a film she had watched called “Real Steel,” a 2011 science-fiction sports drama. The movie is set in a near-future world where traditional human boxing has been replaced by fights between large, advanced robots that weigh around 2,000 pounds. These machines are controlled by humans and compete in high-energy boxing matches that resemble the sport but with a futuristic twist. The film stars Hugh Jackman and Evangeline Lilly, and follows a struggling former boxer who teams up with his estranged son to build and train a robot fighter in hopes of achieving success in the underground boxing world.
According to her explanation, something about the film left a lasting impression on her, particularly the name Midas as used in that context. She described the choice as somewhat spontaneous and unexpected, even joking that it might seem unusual given her personality and typical interests. She also shared that when she showed the film to her mother, her mother found it surprising that she had enjoyed it, as it did not seem like the type of movie she would normally be drawn to. Despite that, she felt a strong connection to the name and eventually kept it in mind as a meaningful option for her future child.
She further explained that both she and Tommy Fury had agreed on the name Midas for a boy for quite a long time before their son’s birth. It was not a last-minute decision, but rather something they had considered carefully over the years. When their second child arrived, the name naturally felt like the right fit for them, and they decided to go ahead with it.
The influencer also addressed the idea that names often carry multiple interpretations depending on cultural or personal perspectives. While many people associate Midas with wealth, gold, and ancient mythology, she emphasized that their choice was rooted in a completely different reference point. She acknowledged that the mythological story is widely known, and that it is understandable for people to make that connection, but she reiterated that it was not the driving factor behind their decision.
The couple’s approach to sharing their son’s name also drew attention, particularly because of the public way it was revealed through Fury’s boxing attire. The moment generated significant interest among fans, as it combined both their personal lives and professional sporting world into a single public announcement.
Overall, the clarification provided a more detailed and personal understanding of how the name Midas came to be chosen. Rather than being tied to ancient myth or symbolism alone, it was influenced by a modern film and a long-standing personal preference held by the couple.
