Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife Ann wave alongside Vice-Presidential candidate Paul Ryan (R) after making his concession speech at his election night event in Boston on November 6, 2012. President Obama won re-election over Republican candidate Mitt Romney. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney greets supporters as he collects donations at a storm relief event at the James S. Trent Arena in Kettering, Ohio, October 30, 2012. UPI/Molly Riley | License Photo

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney makes his concession speech at his election night event in Boston on November 6, 2012. President Obama won re-election over Republican candidate Mitt Romney. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney (R) hugs his wife Ann at a caucus night rally on January 3, 2012 in Des Moines, Iowa. With 98 percent reporting, the caucus was a virtual tie between Romney and Rick Santorum. UPI/Brian Kersey | License Photo

Republican nominee Mitt Romney talks to town hall members as President Barack Obama listens at the second Presidential Debate, Town-Hall style, at Hofstra University on October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. UPI/Pat Benic | License Photo

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney waves surrounded by his family after making his concession speech at his election night event in Boston on November 6, 2012. President Obama won re-election over Republican candidate Mitt Romney. UPI/Matthew Healy | License Photo

Kieran James Romney (right) is the newest addition to Mitt Romney's family. (Twitter)

Former presidential candidate and governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney announced on Twitter Friday the family welcomed a new grandchild, an adorable boy they named Kieran James Romney.

Kirean was adopted, apparently by Mitt Romney's 35-year-old son Ben and his wife, Andelynne (shown holding the child in the tweeted photo). Ben was the only of Mitt Romney's five sons who did not have any children.


Our 22nd grandchild was officially adopted today: Kieran James Romney. cc: @AnnDRomney pic.twitter.com/7t1ZFxOJS4 — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) September 20, 2013

And while the toddler is undeniably adorable, the name is an odd choice for a dark-skinned child adopted into the family of a man who has a complicated relationship with race. It did not go without notice that the name Kieran is the anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ciarán -- which means "little dark one" or "black."

Mitt Romney's new black grandson is named Kieran Romney. Kieran is Gaelic for Black. Subtle and practical. — Tim Cogan (@timcogan) September 21, 2013

Ciarán […] is a Gaelic male given name meaning "little dark one" or "blacky" […] It is anglicized [as] Kieran RELATED Man jailed for refusing to turn off neon anti-Romney sign September 20, 2013

"Kieran" is a nice name, always loved it, but WOW. SUBTLE. Mitt Romney Welcomes New Grandson Via Twitter | News One http://t.co/2X0hCojvB1 — TRUEORIGINAL GATA 黒猫 (@ThaGataNegrra) September 21, 2013

when kieran finds out what his name means, he's gonna FLIPPPPP — Rembert Browne (@rembert) September 20, 2013

it's possible that the Romneys don't know that Kieran means "black" and that they just thought it was a nice name, guys RELATED Romney to grads: 'Have a quiver full of kids' September 20, 2013

(Romney also apparently lost count of his grandkids somewhere along the way: While little Kieran does appear to be No. 22, he also welcomed a grandchild back in July as the 22nd.)