All About Caroline Rhea's Daughter Ava (and Why the “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” Star Almost Gave Her an Entirely Different Name!)

Caroline Rhea cherishes her daughter, Ava Rhea Economopoulos.

The Sabrina the Teenage Witch star became a mother when she was 44. Rhea and her then-boyfriend, comedian Costaki Economopoulos, welcomed their daughter Ava in October 2008. Over the years, the actress has been candid about the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy, including the untimely death of her father David.

In May 2017, Rhea told PEOPLE that her parents were both diagnosed with cancer one week apart, her mom Margery with breast cancer and her dad with lung cancer. Ten months after the initial diagnosis, her father died, and shortly after, Rhea found out she was expecting.

“She’s like my little miracle baby," the actress explained. "All the bad stuff, and all the good stuff, it all leads you to the place that you’re meant to be."

After becoming a mom, Rhea took a break from her career as a stand-up comedian to focus on raising her daughter. When she eventually decided to return to Hollywood, Rhea wanted to set an example for Ava, she revealed on an April 2023 episode of Alec Baldwin’s podcast Here’s the Thing.

“At some point, I thought I have to be an interesting person for my child, and I have in no way sacrificed anything because she’s given me everything in raising her and being with her,” Rhea said. “But I want her to have a passion in her life that she loves and a purpose.”

Here’s everything to know about Caroline Rhea’s daughter, Ava Rhea Economopoulos.

She was born in 2008

Rhea and Economopoulos welcomed their daughter, Ava Rhea Economopoulos, on Oct. 20, 2008.

Over the years, the actress has been candid about how becoming a mom has changed her life. In March 2015, she told ParentsCanada, “The minute you become a mother, it’s like the world turns on in colour, like in The Wizard of Oz.”

In true comedian fashion, she added, “I now fully understand why there are a million books on sleep.”

She was originally going to have a Greek name

Before Ava was born, her parents planned on taking a different route with her first name.

In July 2008, Rhea explained to the New York Daily News that “everyone has something to say about every baby name,” including her mom, Margery, who couldn't help but make a joke.

“My boyfriend is Greek, so we have to work a Greek name in there,” Rhea said. “My mother’s like, ‘What about Parthenon or Acropolis?’ “

However, a different factor came into play when Rhea and Economopoulos' daughter was born: simplicity.

"We wanted the shortest first name possible, since her last name is the alphabet,” Rhea told PEOPLE in October 2008 after Ava was born. “It was either that or Emmy, because I’ve always wanted an Emmy."

She was raised by her mother

While Rhea maintains a friendly relationship with her ex-boyfriend Economopoulos, she raised Ava predominantly as a single mother.

The Phineas and Ferb voice actress spoke about her parenting style during an April 2023 episode of the podcast Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin, admitting that she wasn’t “the queen of boundaries.”

“I think Ava was 7 when she came home and said, ‘We learned a new word today. I don’t know what it means.’ And I go, ‘Well, how do you spell it?’ ‘N-O.’ Like yes, you’ve never heard it in this house,” she joked. “So I think one, being a single parent, I overcompensate because she’s with me most of the time.”

Rhea clarified that Ava “has a lovely father” but that her daughter spent most of her time with her. (The comedians broke up a few years after Ava was born.)

Ava has also spent time with extended family members, including aunts and cousins. During the episode, Rhea shared her house rules about technology, telling Baldwin that she limits her daughter’s time on electronic devices.

“In the summer, no electronics until 6, and ... we’re all together as a family,” she quipped. “So I like that.”

She inspired her mom to return to stand-up comedy

Becoming a mom may have been the reason Rhea took a break from stand-up comedy, but her daughter is also why she returned to the stage.

Speaking to ParentsCanada in March 2015, Rhea revealed that when Ava was 2, she inspired her to resume performing. Rhea made a pact with herself and eventually returned to the limelight when her daughter was 6.

“I decided that until she was in Grade 1, I wasn’t going to travel a lot. Now I’ve got a whole new show and I’m going to be back on the road this year," she said.

The actress also explained her absence from the stand-up comedy scene after Ava was born during a May 2017 interview with PEOPLE. At the time, she said, “The first five years, I didn’t go on the road at all. I was like, ‘I’m not gonna wait this long and have a baby and then leave.’ ”

In the interim, Rhea took on occasional roles but preferred spending her time at home with her daughter. She added,  “I love how hilariously funny my daughter is. She’s the best company.”

She has a younger sister

Ava became a big sister when she was 9. Economopoulos and his then-wife Christa Meola welcomed a daughter, Zoe, in July 2018.

Over the years, Ava has gotten to enjoy family outings with her dad and sister, including an excursion to Joshua Tree National Park in February 2024 and a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm in California two months later.

The year prior, the trio enjoyed a dinner at Medieval Times and a trip to the aquarium. Ava and her sister even got to pay homage to Economopoulos’ heritage and took a family trip to Greece in June 2023.

Ava has walked the red carpet with her mom

Ava made her debut on the red carpet at a young age: As a family, Rhea, Economopoulos and Ava attended the Disney Channel Worldwide Kids Upfront in March 2012.

Ava also accompanied her mom to several industry events, including a special screening of Frozen in November 2013, a screening of The LEGO Movie in February 2014, a screening of The Jungle Book in April 2016, the November 2018 premiere of Mary Poppins Returns and more.

They have a shared love of music and television

Over the years, Rhea has been able to bond with her daughter over a variety of topics, including their taste in music and television.

During a July 2019 appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan, the actress revealed that she gave in to her daughter’s request to watch Riverdale after she had initially argued the show was “too grown up” and “dark” for her daughter.

Rhea added, “Finally, we watch it. Of course, I’m hooked. We’re like, ‘Four more episodes, and then bed.’ “

They’ve also gone to several concerts together, including Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour in 2023, as documented by Rhea on her Instagram.

More recently, during a September 2024 appearance on The Talk, Rhea shared that she and her daughter sat front row at a Pink concert in Los Angeles.

Read the original article on People