Justin Mortelliti and Mark Evans, both actors, live in West Orange, New Jersey. They welcomed their first child, daughter Larsen Jean, on May 13, 2022.
Below, we talk with Justin about how he and Mark named their baby girl.
He mentioned a lot of guys within the story, but there was only one that he mentioned by name. This was someone he jumped out of the plane with — they found each other on the beaches of Normandy and hid. His friend said he was going to go find help and never returned. His name was Larsen.
In 2015, I moved a bunch of stuff from my parents’ house, and I found the old cassette of my interview. I heard my Pop-Pop say Larsen on the tape and was like, “I think that’s my daughter’s name.” Something just struck me about it! I always wanted a gender-neutral name and immediately knew that was it.
Later I met Mark, and when we got married, we started talking about kids’ names. I told him this story and he immediately lit up. I spoke to my aunt about it, and she said, “Yes, Larsen. That was one of Pop-Pop’s best friends in the war.” He was a cowboy — she showed me a picture.
When my Pop-Pop returned from being a POW he married my Mom-Mom, whose name was Jean. We put the names together and made Larsen Jean.
We were excited about it because it was a name we hadn’t really heard before, especially used for a girl. We think it’s cool and powerful. The thought of having those three guardian angels — Larsen, my Mom-Mom, and Pop-Pop — watching over her is really special.
Being gay, there were a lot of times when you were told you wouldn’t be able to have a family. But I never let that take control. I always said I was going to be a dad — I just didn’t know how!
I really wanted to write about this journey because so many kids are dying or experiencing extreme trauma and shame in their adult lives. It’s the first project I’ve written that isn’t just my songs. I’m going to get this thing made! I just need the money.
I wish we talked more about that shame and how it affects you as an adult. Each generation helps each other. The older generation of gay men set it up for us to have a child and get married. They fought for those rights. This generation is helping to heal the wounds of the next one. We all do our part.
My lead character is named Julian. Julian starts with a J and ends with an N like Justin, which is how I chose it. My brother’s name is Gregory — we call him Greg — and I named one of the brothers in the show Craig. I grew up with a Craig who died when we were in high school, so that name is also in there to honor him.
I got some of the names from girls and guys I went to high school with. There’s some shade thrown in there too, for some of the villainous characters!
We have friends who just had a daughter named Rafa. Another friend named their son Zev. I haven’t seen too many people “on trend” lately.
A name is important. It’s for life, and I love that Larsen will be able to say it came from a special place.
You feel almost like you’re trailblazing. We’ve already had young people reach out on social media saying, “You give me hope for my future.” Our journey and our family being unique and new and something that many people haven’t seen before is just like Larsen’s name, which is new to many people.
You get PTSD about it — whether it’s taking your partner’s hand in public or posting a photo online of you two hugging or kissing. To get past that shame and proudly post your family is important because visibility is everything for change.
Holiday decorating was such a big thing for me growing up, so even our Christmas and Halloween decorations. Searching online, I found some Halloween decorations that I remembered from when I was a kid.
I also started looking for old art pieces and vintage drawings from children’s books. I found this one German artist, Germaine Bouret, whose drawings are just amazing. I found one that is two boys with a smaller girl. For some reason there’s an Italian flag and a British flag flying in the background, and a little black dog that looks exactly like our dog Dio G. I was like, “Oh my god, this is our family!”
They’re so soft and beautiful. It’s what we used to take her home. She was two days old flying from Arizona to New Jersey and we were scared to death!
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It’s basically a Keurig for baby formula. It’s a lifesaver because that's all she drinks.
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While I’m teaching or working on my writing, I can bounce her with my foot.
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Thank you so much, Justin! You can donate to or get involved with his musical, The Ladies Man, here.
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Sophie Kihm has been writing for Nameberry since 2015. She has contributed stories on the top 2020s names, Gen Z names, and cottagecore baby names. Sophie is Nameberry’s resident Name Guru to the Stars, where she suggests names for celebrity babies. She also manages the Nameberry Instagram and Pinterest.
Sophie Kihm's articles on names have run on People, Today, The Huffington Post, and more. She has been quoted as a name expert by The Washington Post, People, The Huffington Post, and more. You can follow her personally on Instagram or Pinterest, or contact her at [email protected]. Sophie lives in Chicago.
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