Liam Payne Wanted a More Traditional Baby Name, But Cheryl Cole Wanted 'Bear'

Liam Payne wasn’t initially sold on the name Bear for his newborn baby boy.

The 23-year-old singer recently revealed that it was girlfriend Cheryl Cole who was pushing for it, and he eventually came around.

“It was an internal battle,” Liam told Total Access radio (via E! News). “I wanted a more traditional name and she wanted a name that was more unusual. The reason she chose Bear was because Bear is a name that when you leave a room, you won’t forget. And I like that.”

He added, “You know what? Now he is Bear. When I look at him, he’s just Bear. At first I wasn’t really having it. I was like, ‘I’m not really sure. I don’t really understand.’ Now I look at him and he’s Bear. You become your name as you get older anyway.”

Oh, and Bear‘s middle name? “Grey“! How cute is that?

Pictured: Liam is all smiles while stopping by the Music Choice offices on Tuesday (May 16) in New York City.