With the reveal of Rumi and Sir Carter on Instagram, Beyoncé not only gave fans something to be joyous about, but also something to Google. Many are wondering what the distinct names mean, especially after the couple filed trademarks on them.
As reported by TMZ, the company run by Bey and Jay that owns the trademarks to their names filed legal docs Monday, June 26 —right around the time the twins went home— to secure rights to the names Rumi Carter and Sir Carter. The docs are filed by the same company that filed for a Blue Ivy trademark earlier this year.
Japanese in origin, the name Rumi is said to mean “beauty, flow, lapis lazuli”, according to Nameberry. As art and literature lovers, JAY-Z and Beyoncé may have given the name to their child as a nod to 13th century Muslim mystic and poet, Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī whose most famous poem, “The Diver’s Clothes Lying Empty” has inspired many modern literary works.
The English word Sir is a designation of great contributions or chivalry given by the Order of the British Empire. Typically bestowed after years of service by the Queen of England —to notables like Sir Elton John or Sir James Paul McCartney— it would only make sense for Queen Bey to give the honor to her child.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.
