All About Caroline Rhea's Daughter Ava (and Why theSabrina the Teenage WitchStar Almost Gave Her an Entirely Different Name!)

Mar. 15, 2025

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic ; Caroline Rhea/ Instagram

Caroline Rheacherishes her daughter, Ava Rhea Economopoulos.

TheSabrina the Teenage Witchstar 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.

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 ofAlec Baldwin’spodcastHere’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

Caroline Rhea smiles with her daughter Ava Rhea Economopoulos.Caroline Rhea/ Instagram

Caroline Rhea/ Instagram

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 toldParentsCanada, “The minute you become a mother, it’s like the world turns on in colour, like inThe 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

Ava Rhea Economopoulos takes a selfie with her mom Caroline Rhea.Caroline Rhea/ Instagram

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

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

Caroline Rhea and Costaki Economopoulos with their daughter Ava Rhea Economopoulos.Caroline Rhea/ Instagram

While Rhea maintainsa friendly relationshipwith her ex-boyfriend Economopoulos, she raised Ava predominantly as a single mother.

ThePhineas and Ferbvoice actress spoke about her parenting style during an April 2023 episode of the podcastHere’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

Caroline Rhea Economopoulos and daughter Ava Rhea.Caroline Rhea/ Instagram

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 ParentsCanadain 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.

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 Rhea Economopoulos with her sister Zoe and father Costaki Economopoulos.Costaki Economopoulos/ Instagram

Costaki Economopoulos/ Instagram

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

Over the years, Ava has gotten to enjoy family outings with her dad and sister, including anexcursion to Joshua Tree National Parkin February 2024 and atrip to Knott’s Berry Farmin California two months later.

The year prior, the trioenjoyed a dinnerat Medieval Times anda trip to the aquarium. Ava and her sister even got to pay homage to Economopoulos’ heritage andtook a family trip to Greecein June 2023.

Ava has walked the red carpet with her mom

Caroline Rhea and daughter Ava Rhea Economopoulos attend the 2015 New York Spring Spectacular Opening Night at Radio City Music Hall on March 26, 2015 in New York City.D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

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 ofFrozenin November 2013, a screening ofThe LEGO Moviein February 2014, a screening ofThe Jungle Bookin April 2016, the November 2018 premiere ofMary Poppins Returnsand more.

They have a shared love of music and television

Caroline Rhea with daughter Ava Rhea Economopoulos.Caroline Rhea/ Instagram

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 onLive with Kelly and Ryan,the actress revealed that she gave in to her daughter’s request to watchRiverdaleafter 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.’ “

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

source: people.com