United Kingdom, Feb. 20 -- Hilary Swank's baby names were inspired by a Syrian refugee and "the first universal sound".

The 49-year-old actress - who has 10-month-old daughter and son Aya and Ohm with husband Philip Schneider - has opened up on the meanings behind the monikers she chose for her children.

She told Today: "Aya was a Syrian refugee we met in Lebanon, so she was just this courageous brave young girl full of light going through a really difficult time

" My husband and I were like, 'She's so beautiful. What a great name'.

"And Ohm is considered the first universal sound and unites all people. We thought, 'Oh, that sounds very fitting.' "

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