Shay Mitchell is the proud mom of two kids — daughters Atlas and Rome — with her longtime partner Matte Babel.
After experiencing a miscarriage in 2018, the Pretty Little Liars alum welcomed Atlas in October 2019 and completed the family with the birth of Rome in May 2022.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the “special relationship” her daughters share, Mitchell explained that “their personalities couldn’t be further apart.” Still, the BÉIS designer hopes they always lean on each other, especially when she’s working.
While it can sometimes be tough being away from her children — like she was while filming her Max travel show Thirst With Shay Mitchell — she thinks it’ll help them learn to be more independent young women.
“I like to think that they would be proud knowing that I’m out there working and doing things that make me happy,” she said. “I would want that for them when they’re older.”
Plus, it makes their reunion that much more special. “I love to travel, but I also love to come home. That feeling of walking in your door and sleeping in your own bed — is there a better feeling?” she added. “A lot of times I am traveling solo for work, so the first thing I do is track down my girls.”
In November 2024, Mitchell told PEOPLE that raising daughters teaches her new things about herself. “They boss me around and it’s a really fun time,” she said. “Every day I get to learn something new, but I also get to see things through their eyes.”
Here’s everything to know about Shay Mitchell’s kids: Atlas and Rome.
Atlas Noa Babel, 5
The Onda founder revealed she was pregnant in June 2019, with an Instagram post and YouTube video.
“It’s kind of surreal processing the fact that another human is growing inside of you,” she wrote in the caption. “It’s exciting, nerve-racking, difficult and emotional all at the same time … We’re beyond excited and looking forward to starting a family.”
On Oct. 20, 2019, she and Babel welcomed their first child together, daughter Atlas, after 33 hours of labor. “Never letting go,” Mitchell captioned a photo of herself holding her baby’s hand.
The couple got the idea for the name from their friend but kept it a secret. “A close friend of ours was listing off names … she said Atlas and I looked at Matte, and he looked at me, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ ” she told Vogue.
With a name like Atlas, it’s no surprise she was born loving to travel. “I aim to fill up her passport within the first year,” Mitchell told PEOPLE in February 2020. “She’s been to Vancouver, we’ve been to Paris, Vegas … and I’m from Toronto so we’ll be going there soon.”
She added that her daughter “loves a plane almost more than I do.”
The You star immediately loved being a mom, sharing that she enjoyed seeing how Atlas changed every day.
“It’s been great. There are just so many new little milestones that make every day a little bit more exciting,” she said. “It’s been really wonderful to be able to spend this much time with her.”
As she grew, Atlas began having more in common with her mom, including taking selfies. Mitchell even posted a photo her daughter took of her and jokingly captioned it, “Some people have ig husbands/wives and I have my four year old.”
In 2023, Atlas helped her mom launch a children’s luggage line for her mom’s company, BÉIS.
“The inspiration was my kids and kind of looking around and having to buy her lunch boxes and backpacks for school, and seeing what I didn’t see on the market,” Mitchell told PEOPLE. “We made [the line] really fun because I know from my own experience that Atlas loves colors and she wants things to be bright.”
Rome Babel, 2
The Dollface star and Babel announced they were expecting their second baby with an emotional Instagram post following the death of her grandmother.
“Saying goodbye to a loved one while simultaneously experiencing the joy of welcoming another into this world is the great cycle of life,” she wrote alongside the maternity photos. “This is proof that love, life, and loss can profoundly exist all at the same time. Gram, I miss you every day. Little one, we are so excited to meet you.”
Rome was born on May 22, 2022, with Mitchell confirming the news to PEOPLE two weeks later.
“I feel really, really good. It definitely takes a village. I’m really lucky my parents are in town and everybody’s been really helpful,” she shared.
The actress added that the name she chose was “very special … I think similar to Atlas, when I heard it, I knew it was just the perfect name.”
Shortly after, Mitchell explained that Rome’s moniker was inspired by her late grandmother Romaine. “We’re so happy you’re here Rome, named after my best friend, my soulmate, my ‘person,’ ” she wrote on Instagram.
Atlas instantly loved being a big sister. “She is so excited. She’s been incredible,” Mitchell told PEOPLE. “She helps me change diapers and it’s good — she loves it.”
As for having a second child join the family, the Velma voice actress revealed that it was an adjustment for her.
“People used to tell me going from zero to one was nothing compared to going from one to two, and that could not be truer,” she said. “Now I look back and I’m like, how did having one kid seem difficult for me?”
In honor of Rome’s first birthday in 2023, Mitchell organized a photoshoot photos of their family surrounded her and Atlas. “The perfect soul to fill your absence 💜 thanks for her Gram,” she captioned the Instagram post.
Source: People
