Reason why Will Smith's kids are called Willow and Jaden

Will Smith's children, who he shares with wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, have never been far from the headlines, but many don't realise the story behind their distinctive names.

Jaden Smith and Willow Smith are the youngest children of Will - who shares a son, Trey, with his ex-wife - and have appeared alongside him in some of his best known films.

24-year-old Jaden, who is now a rapper, has co-starred with his dad in the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness and the 2013 sci-fi flick After Earth.

Willow, 22, on the other hand, made a small appearance in the 2007 film I Am Legend and has gone on to cement a career in music for herself.

However, despite being incredibly well-known faces in Hollywood, it wasn't widely known why their names had been chosen for them.

But last year, Twitter users were left in shock when they realised that the two got their names from their parents.

One user wrote: "Will Smith = Willow Smith. Jada Smith = Jaden Smith. How have I never realised?"

While another tweeted: "I feel so dumb for just realizing that Willow and Jaden Smith’s names are just variations of their parent’s names."

A fellow shocked commenter said: "I was today years old when I realized Jaden and Willow Smith’s names are just their parents names in different forms???? Goodbye."

The family have frequently been thrust into the limelight, most notably at last year's Academy Awards.

Will took to the stage to smack host Chris Rock in the face after the comedian cracked a joke at the expense of Jada, likening her alopecia to GI Jane.

Amidst the backlash, Jaden tweeted: 'And That's How We Do It.'

Willow took months to comment on the controversy, as she said: "I see my whole family as being human, and I love and accept them for all their humanness.

"Because of the position that we’re in, our humanness sometimes isn’t accepted, and we’re expected to act in a way that isn’t conducive to a healthy human life and isn’t conducive to being honest."

In a statement released at the time, Will himself said: "My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable.

"The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home."

Since the backlash, Will has also spoken on the impact of the controversy and whether it will put people off from watching his films.

The actor said: "I completely understand that, if someone is not ready. I would absolutely respect that and allow them their space to not be ready.

"I definitely lose a couple winks of sleep every night thinking that I could have potentially penalised my team.

"But I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that everyone gets seen in the light that they deserve."