At a Glance
- Nicole Richie confirmed her daughter goes by Kate, not Harlow
- The 18-year-old’s Instagram handle is @katemaddennn
- Fans noticed the name difference after Richie’s birthday post
- Why it matters: Shows how celebrity kids shape their own identity
Nicole Richie has clarified that her daughter prefers to use her middle name, Kate, rather than her first name, Harlow. The revelation came after fans noticed the teenager’s social media account uses the name Kate.
The Birthday Post That Sparked Questions
Richie shared a carousel of photos on January 12 to celebrate her daughter’s 18th birthday. The post featured pictures of her daughter through the years with the caption: “18 years of you ♥️🎂 @katemaddennn.”
Fans quickly observed that the tagged Instagram account used the name Kate instead of Harlow. This led to speculation about which name the teenager actually uses.
Speaking exclusively to News Of Losangeles at an event for Australian makeup brand Nude by Nature’s U.S. debut on January 14, Richie addressed the online reaction. The event took place at The Edition in West Hollywood, California.
“Yeah, she goes by her middle name,” Richie told News Of Losangeles. “She has her whole life.”
Family Dynamics and Social Media
Richie shares her daughter and son Sparrow, 16, with Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden. The family has navigated the challenges of raising teenagers in the digital age.
Joel Madden commented on the birthday post, writing: “That’s my girl ❤️✨.”
His brother Benji Madden also left a heartfelt message: “How to make a grown man cry!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ love you Kate! You’re a bad ass! Never forget it! Happy 18!! 🎉🎉❤️❤️🎉”
The use of “Kate” in both comments further confirmed the name preference within the family circle.
Parenting in the Digital Age
In previous interviews with News Of Losangeles, Richie has discussed her approach to parenting teenagers in today’s social media landscape. She emphasized understanding the platforms her children use rather than making them forbidden.
“The digital world and the real world are very different things, but it’s very real,” Richie explained during a December 2024 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show alongside Paris Hilton.
She noted that one of her priorities as a parent is staying informed about digital platforms: “Not, not know anything about the digital world because then that just separates me even more from this generation that grew up in that world.”
Learning from Her Children
Richie has previously shared that she learns from her children, particularly when it comes to trends and skills. In August 2024, she told News Of Losangeles that her daughter teaches her about makeup and hair.
“I learn everything from her,” Richie said. “You would think that I would know how to do my makeup after I have been getting it done for so long, but I’m really bad at it, and she teaches me everything.”
Growing Up in the Spotlight
The daughter of Lionel Richie and star of The Simple Life has raised her children while maintaining her own career in entertainment. She’s witnessed her children transition through different life stages.
In October, Richie told News Of Losangeles about watching her kids become teenagers: “I very much remember I think now that I’m seeing my kids at an age where I remember everything from that age, so they’ll be telling me stories of whatever the comings and goings of them and their friends, and it sounds exactly like what I was going through senior year. It’s fun. It’s like a TV show.”
The Significance of Name Choices
The decision to go by a middle name rather than a first name is not uncommon, especially among children of celebrities who may seek to establish their own identity. Harlow Winter Kate Madden, now 18, appears to have made this choice early in life.
Richie’s confirmation that her daughter “has her whole life” gone by Kate suggests this wasn’t a recent decision but rather a long-standing preference that has now become public knowledge through social media.
Key Takeaways
- Nicole Richie’s daughter prefers to be called Kate, not Harlow
- The 18-year-old’s Instagram handle @katemaddennn reflects this preference
- Family members, including Joel and Benji Madden, use the name Kate in social media interactions
- Richie approaches parenting by understanding rather than forbidding social media use
- The teenager teaches her mother about makeup and current trends
