5 Shocking Revelations About Lily Collins' Baby Tove Jane McDowell: Name Meaning, Surrogacy, And Filming *Emily In Paris* As A New Mom

The biggest news in Lily Collins’ personal life has finally been confirmed: she is officially a mother. After months of speculation, the *Emily in Paris* star and her husband, director Charlie McDowell, surprised fans by revealing they welcomed their first child, a baby girl, via surrogate. This major life change, which occurred in late January/early February 2025, has introduced a beautiful new chapter for the private couple, with the actress now navigating the demanding schedule of a Hollywood star while embracing the joys and exhaustion of first-time motherhood. The journey to welcome their daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, was a quietly held secret that has now become a central focus for the couple. This article dives deep into the fresh details surrounding the birth, the unique meaning behind the baby’s name, and how this new role impacted Collins’ professional commitments, including the production of the highly anticipated *Emily in Paris* Season 4.

The Complete Profile: Lily Collins, Charlie McDowell, and Tove Jane McDowell

The family's newest member, Tove Jane McDowell, has instantly become a topic of global curiosity. Her parents, Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell, are both established figures in the entertainment industry, hailing from famous Hollywood and music dynasties.

Lily Collins: Actress and Author

• Full Name: Lily Jane Collins
• Born: March 18, 1989, in Guildford, Surrey, England
• Parents: Phil Collins (Musician, Genesis drummer) and Jill Tavelman (American business owner)
• Career Highlights: *Emily in Paris* (Emily Cooper), *Mank*, *Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile*, *The Blind Side*. She is also an author, having published the memoir *Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me*.
• Relationship with Father: Her relationship with her father, Phil Collins, has been publicly strained and later mended, a journey she documented in her essays.

Charlie McDowell: Director and Screenwriter

• Full Name: Charles Malcolm McDowell
• Born: July 10, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, USA
• Parents: Malcolm McDowell (English actor) and Mary Steenburgen (American actress)
• Career Highlights: Director of films like *The One I Love* (2014) and *The Discovery* (2017). He is also a producer on upcoming projects like *Lurker* (2025) and *The Summer Book* (2025).
• Marital Status: Married Lily Collins on September 4, 2021, in a stunning, rustic ceremony at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado.

Tove Jane McDowell: The Newest Addition

• Full Name: Tove Jane McDowell
• Born: Late January/Early February 2025 (via surrogate)
• Meaning of Name: The name Tove has Norse and Scandinavian origins, deriving from the Old Norse name Tófa, and means "beloved" or "beautiful."
• Middle Name Connection: Her middle name, Jane, is shared with her mother, Lily Jane Collins.

The Surprising Path to Motherhood: Surrogacy and the Exhaustion of a New Mom

The announcement of Tove Jane McDowell’s birth was made jointly by the couple on Instagram, revealing they had welcomed their daughter via surrogacy. This choice, while personal, has brought increased attention to alternative paths to parenthood in Hollywood. The couple shared a heartfelt message, welcoming their daughter to "the center of our world." This decision to use a surrogate allowed Collins to continue her intense filming schedule while preparing for the arrival of their child. However, the reality of new motherhood, even with the support of surrogacy, immediately impacted Collins’ work life. While filming the highly anticipated *Emily in Paris* Season 4, which began shortly after Tove's arrival, Collins admitted to being "very tired." The challenges of balancing the demanding role of Emily Cooper—a character known for her boundless energy—with the sleepless nights of a first-time mom proved to be a significant hurdle. She shared how being a first-time mother made filming a "different experience," a sentiment relatable to working parents everywhere.

Future Family Plans and The Meaning Behind 'Tove'

The choice of the name Tove Jane McDowell is not only beautiful but also deeply rooted in European and familial heritage. The name *Tove* is Scandinavian, meaning "beloved" or "beautiful," a tender choice for their firstborn. The inclusion of *Jane* as a middle name honors Lily Collins herself, creating a direct, loving link between mother and daughter. Lily Collins has shared rare photos of her baby girl, giving glimpses of Tove’s brown hair and peaceful presence, but the couple remains fiercely private about their daughter's life.

The Desire to Expand the Family

In recent interviews, Charlie McDowell has openly discussed their future family plans, indicating that Tove may not be an only child for long. McDowell revealed that he and Collins are "keen to start a family" and are "excited to enter a new stage" of their lives together, suggesting they are actively moving forward with plans to expand their family further. This desire for more children highlights the joy and fulfillment Tove's arrival has brought to their lives. The couple, who fell in love on the set of a movie Charlie directed and tied the knot in a magical mountain wedding in Colorado, appear to be fully embracing their role as parents. Their relationship, which became Instagram official in August 2019, continues to evolve, moving from a romantic partnership to a full-fledged family unit. The journey of Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell into parenthood—marked by a quiet surrogacy and the immediate return to a high-pressure career—is a testament to their dedication to both family and work. As Tove Jane McDowell grows, fans and media alike will continue to watch this talented couple navigate the new, exciting, and undoubtedly exhausting world of being a Hollywood family.