In 2017, when Liam Payne and Cheryl welcomed their son, Bear, they surprised many with their choice of name. At the time, Oliver, Harry, and Jack were among the most popular boy names, making Bear stand out even more. The couple had kept their pregnancy a secret until shortly before Bear was born, but the story behind his name was something they kept even more secret.

At first, Liam and Cheryl disagreed on what to name their newborn. Cheryl preferred something “unusual,” while Liam leaned toward a more traditional name. Their decision ultimately came down to a special moment during Bear’s birth. As Liam recounted on  The Late Late Show with James Corden  , the midwife affectionately nicknamed the newborn “little bear” after a peculiar incident in the delivery room.

Liam recalled: “He had this problem – if he didn’t cry properly, fluid would build up in his lungs, which is dangerous. Instead of crying, he would say ‘grrrr’. I had 10 doctors come, but they all assured me he was fine. It turned out he just liked to make a lot of noise, and that’s how he became Bear.”

At first, Liam wasn’t sure about the name, but over time he realized it fit his son perfectly. “Bear is a name you won’t forget when you leave the room. It stuck, and now when I look at him, it’s just Bear,” Liam said in 2017.

The couple, who had been together for a year before Bear’s birth, announced their pregnancy quietly but shared their joy with the world when they revealed the arrival of their son. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Liam expressed his admiration for Cheryl’s strength throughout the process, saying: “She really made my dreams come true.”

A year later, Liam and Cheryl ended their romantic relationship, but remained united in their love for Bear. They released a joint statement asking for privacy as they co-parented their son.

Liam’s unexpected death on October 16, following a tragic fall in Buenos Aires, has left his fans and loved ones in mourning. His funeral will take place on November 20, and among those in attendance will be his former One Direction bandmates Cheryl and Bear, who will pay their last respects.