Yankees Star Aaron Judge and Wife Samantha Welcome Their First Child

Fresh off a standout 2024 season with the Yankees—where he led all of Major League Baseball with a staggering 58 home runs—Aaron Judge just hit an even bigger milestone: fatherhood!

The star slugger and his wife, Samantha Bracksieck, welcomed their first child, a baby girl, on February 5. “1/27/25 Nora Rose Judge. What an incredible week it’s been, can’t wait for the memories the three of us make,” Judge captioned a sweet photo of his newborn’s tiny feet.

The name Nora, of primarily Latin origin, traditionally means “honor” and “shining light,” making it a fitting choice for the couple’s little star. A timeless yet modern favorite, Nora currently ranks as the 25th most popular name for girls in the US and has been steadily rising in popularity over the years. Classic yet effortlessly chic, it’s a name that carries both warmth and strength—just like her proud parents.

The six-time All-Star revealed the exciting news that he and his wife were expecting their first child together on January 25 in a video message played at the New York chapter’s Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner. “I want to start by apologizing for missing the awards dinner this evening,” Judge said in his 2024 American League MVP award acceptance speech. “However, my wife, Samantha, and I are expecting our first child any day now, and, unfortunately, I couldn’t make it.”

Speculation about the notoriously private couple possibly expecting began swirling late last year. High school sweethearts who first met at Linden High School in California, Judge and Bracksieck have kept much of their relationship out of the spotlight, including their engagement and their December 2021 wedding.

Judge is far from the only baseball star adding to his team this year. 2024 National League MVP Shohei Ohtani revealed in December that he and his wife are expecting their first child, while former Yankee Anthony Rizzo announced just last week that he, too, is set to become a dad.