The Lily Collins baby everyone was curious about is Tove Jane McDowell, the first child of actress Lily Collins and filmmaker Charlie McDowell. The couple announced Tove’s arrival on January 31, 2025, revealing that they had welcomed a daughter through a surrogate. Since then, Collins and McDowell have shared occasional glimpses of family life while keeping much of their daughter’s world private.
For readers searching for the latest details, here is what is publicly known about Tove, her parents, her birth, and the family’s updates through 2026.
Who Is Lily Collins’ Baby?
Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell’s daughter is named Tove Jane McDowell. She is their first child together.
The couple revealed her name in their birth announcement, which featured a photograph of the newborn resting in a bassinet. Collins and McDowell expressed gratitude to their surrogate and to the people who supported them during the process.
Tove’s arrival marked a new chapter for Collins, who is widely known for playing Emily Cooper in Netflix’s Emily in Paris. McDowell is a director and screenwriter whose family also has longstanding connections to Hollywood.
The Lily Collins baby announcement was notable partly because the couple had not publicly announced a pregnancy before Tove’s birth. Their decision allowed them to keep the journey largely private until they were ready to introduce their daughter to the public.
When Was Tove Jane McDowell Born?
Tove Jane McDowell was born on January 31, 2025, according to reports covering the couple’s announcement. Collins and McDowell shared the news publicly that same day. The Independent+1
That means Tove celebrated her first birthday in January 2026. Collins marked the occasion with photographs from the celebration and a heartfelt message about how dramatically her daughter had changed her life.
As of September 2026, Tove is around 20 months old. The family has continued to share selected moments rather than providing a constant stream of updates.
| Detail | Publicly reported information |
|---|---|
| Child | Tove Jane McDowell |
| Parents | Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell |
| Birth date | January 31, 2025 |
| Child | Daughter |
| First child | Yes |
| Birth arrangement | Surrogacy |
| Public announcement | January 31, 2025 |
Why Did Lily Collins Use a Surrogate?
Collins and McDowell publicly confirmed that their daughter was born via surrogate. In their announcement, they thanked their surrogate and everyone who had helped them along the way.
The couple did not publicly provide detailed medical or personal reasons for choosing surrogacy in their announcement. That distinction matters because speculation about private fertility or medical circumstances should not be presented as fact.
Charlie McDowell later addressed criticism surrounding their family’s fertility journey, while Collins has continued to speak warmly about becoming a mother. Public coverage has generally focused on the couple’s gratitude and their desire to protect their family’s privacy rather than on unconfirmed explanations.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: When searching for celebrity family news, check the original announcement or a reputable publication before trusting claims about pregnancy, fertility treatment, or surrogacy. Those subjects can involve private information that is easily distorted online.
What Does the Name Tove Mean?
The name Tove has Scandinavian and Norse associations. The Independent reported that the name derives from the Old Norse name Tófa and has been associated with meanings such as “beloved” or “beautiful.”
The choice also fits Collins’ known interest in Scandinavian culture. British Vogue noted her connection to Finnish author Tove Jansson, whose Moomins books have been influential in Collins’ life. However, the couple has not publicly stated that Jansson was definitively the reason they selected their daughter’s name.
That makes Tove an especially distinctive celebrity baby name without requiring assumptions about its inspiration.
What Has Lily Collins Shared About Her Daughter?
Since Tove’s birth, Collins has offered small glimpses of motherhood through social media.
In February 2025, she shared a video of herself with Tove while listening to Genesis’ “I Can’t Dance,” a song written by Collins’ father, musician Phil Collins. She described the moment as part of Tove’s early “musical education.”
Collins also shared a family photograph around Valentine’s Day 2025 featuring herself, McDowell, and their newborn daughter.
By 2026, the updates had moved beyond the newborn stage. Collins celebrated Tove’s first birthday in January and later shared glimpses of family outings. In April, she showed Tove sitting in a high chair with her hair styled into a tiny ponytail.
In July 2026, Collins also posted a childhood-and-daughter comparison featuring similar outfits, giving followers another glimpse of their family resemblance and shared style. Express Tribune
These updates suggest a consistent approach: Collins occasionally shares meaningful family moments while avoiding extensive exposure of her daughter’s private life.
Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell as Parents
Collins and McDowell have been married since 2021. Their relationship began after they met through McDowell’s work on the film project Gilded Rage, and they married in Colorado. British Vogue
The birth of Tove expanded their family from a married couple into first-time parents. Their social media posts have largely centered on family milestones rather than detailed commentary about day-to-day parenting.
That limited approach is also why many online searches about the Lily Collins baby can produce speculation alongside confirmed information. The public record is relatively straightforward: Tove is their daughter, she was born in January 2025 via surrogate, and her parents have occasionally shared photographs and milestones since then.
đź“Ś Key Takeaway: Tove Jane McDowell is Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell’s first child. She was born via surrogate on January 31, 2025, and the couple has gradually shared selected family moments while maintaining a significant degree of privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lily Collins’ baby?
Lily Collins’ baby is her daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, whom she shares with husband Charlie McDowell. Tove is the couple’s first child. Collins and McDowell announced her birth on January 31, 2025, and confirmed that she was born via surrogate.
When was Lily Collins’ daughter born?
Tove Jane McDowell was born on January 31, 2025. Collins and McDowell announced her arrival publicly that day, introducing their daughter by name and thanking their surrogate and others who supported them.
What is Lily Collins’ daughter’s name?
Her full name is Tove Jane McDowell. Tove is a Scandinavian-associated name with Old Norse roots. Reports have connected the choice with Collins’ interest in Scandinavian culture, although the couple has not publicly confirmed a single definitive inspiration for the name.
Did Lily Collins announce a pregnancy before Tove was born?
No public pregnancy announcement was made before Tove’s birth. British Vogue reported that Collins and McDowell did not make their expectation of a baby public before announcing Tove’s arrival. Their first public announcement came after the birth.
How old is Lily Collins’ daughter now?
Tove was born on January 31, 2025. As of September 2026, she is approximately 20 months old. Collins celebrated her daughter’s first birthday in January 2026 and has since shared occasional updates about her growth and family life.
Final Thoughts
The story surrounding the Lily Collins baby is now less about a surprise celebrity announcement and more about a young family growing together away from constant public attention. Tove Jane McDowell arrived in January 2025, and Collins and McDowell have marked her milestones with occasional, carefully selected glimpses. Their approach gives fans a sense of their family life without turning their daughter’s childhood into a public spectacle.
