The birth of a child brings joy, but for NASCAR star Denny Hamlin and fiancée Jordon Fish, it also came with unexpected stress. On July 11, the longtime couple welcomed their first son, Jameson Drew Hamlin, completing their family of five. But behind the scenes, the decision to name their son proved more complicated than anticipated. Fish recently shared intimate details of the experience in a podcast interview, revealing how late-night talks, tech tools, and meaningful legacies shaped the final decision.
Key Highlights
Denny Hamlin and Jordon Fish welcomed their son, Jameson Drew Hamlin, on July 11
The couple struggled for days to settle on a name and nearly went with “Buddy”
They used ChatGPT to brainstorm name combinations from a shared list
“Jameson Drew” was finalized just before the hospital issued the birth certificate
Hamlin missed a race in Mexico City to be present for the birth and honor family ties
“Hey Buddy”: A Name Almost Chosen in Panic
Jordon Fish, longtime partner of Denny Hamlin, opened up on Haley Dillon’s podcast about the emotional whirlwind surrounding the birth of their son. The labor and immediate recovery brought a wave of stress, especially when hospital paperwork deadlines loomed and the baby remained unnamed. For two days, the couple referred to the newborn affectionately as “Buddy,” a name that almost became official due to indecision.
“We didn’t name him until the morning of the 13th. We’re just calling him Buddy, like, ‘Hey Buddy, we’re so happy you’re here.’ His name almost became Buddy, it still kind of technically is in my book… We were just not agreeing.” – Jordon Fish
As Jordon recovered, Denny remained by her side, skipping the NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City to be with her and their daughters, Taylor and Molly. It was a rare and heartfelt pause for the No. 11 driver of Joe Gibbs Racing.
With mounting pressure to choose a name, the couple took an unconventional route. They fed a list of their favorite names into ChatGPT and received various combinations. From there, they narrowed it down together.
From Miles Miller to Jameson Drew
Fish initially leaned toward the name “Miles Miller.” For a while, the name “James Drew Miller Hamlin” seemed like the winner, blending personal preferences with homage to people in their lives. However, the couple eventually decided against using “Miller” due to an overlap with a friend’s name.
That’s when inspiration struck. Fish realized that “Jameson” could pay tribute to Denny Hamlin’s legal first name—James—and allow them to honor the initials “JD,” which held deep significance for the couple.
“I was like what if we did Jameson because it means James’ son, right? So it’s still James is in there. And then I liked Drew… That was one of our names that we both agreed on together… So I was like, ‘What about Jameson Drew and we’ll drop the Miller?’ He was like, ‘I like that.’ I’m like, okay, Jameson Drew Hamlin, that’s our name.” – Jordon Fish
The name “Jameson Drew” was finalized just before hospital staff filed the birth certificate, closing an emotional and chaotic chapter with a name that held personal meaning for both parents.
The Legacy of JD: A Deep Personal Tribute
For Denny Hamlin, naming his son “Jameson Drew” also offered a touching tribute to two important figures in his life: JD Gibbs and James Dean. JD Gibbs, the late son of Joe Gibbs, had a profound impact on Hamlin’s career and personal development. James Dean, Hamlin’s former late model team owner, also played a pivotal role in giving him his first real racing opportunity.
“I wanted to keep JD in the name. I’m a JD. JD Gibbs obviously was a huge person in my life and my racing career. James Dean, also was a huge part. He was my car owner in late models… So there’s just too many JDs that were important in my life to not have him be a JD.” – Denny Hamlin
While they considered “James Drew Miller Hamlin” to combine these influences, the couple decided that a simpler name would better suit their son’s future. Despite the time crunch, the decision came together naturally in the final moments.
Friendly Pressure and Playful Suggestions
In the background, friends and former teammates weren’t shy about offering their own suggestions. One of the most playful came from Kyle Busch, who jokingly lobbied for the name “Lewis Hamlin” as a nod to Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton.
Although humorous, the moment reflected the warm and supportive community around Hamlin and Fish during this significant life transition. In the end, they chose a name that reflects both legacy and unity—a fitting addition to a family grounded in love and racing heritage.
News in Brief: NASCAR Legend Almost Named His Son ‘Buddy’
Denny Hamlin and fiancée Jordon Fish welcomed their son, Jameson Drew Hamlin, on July 11. The naming process was stressful, lasting two days as they nearly settled on “Buddy” amid hospital paperwork deadlines, they landed on “Jameson” to honor Hamlin’s legal first name and “Drew” for its strength. The initials “JD” pay tribute to JD Gibbs and James Dean, who shaped Hamlin’s racing path. Hamlin skipped the Mexico City race to be with his family
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