Baby boy for Richie

Nicole RichieNicole Richie has given birth to a boy, it has been

announced.

The TV star and her Good Charlotte rocker partner Joel MaddenJoel Madden, who

already have 20-month-old daughter Harlow, welcomed 7lbs 14oz Sparrow

James Midnight Madden into the world yesterday.

The couple announced on Nicole’s website: “In the middle of night, the

very early hours of September 9, 2009, Sparrow James Midnight Madden

was born. Nicole, Joel, Harlow and Sparrow are all doing well. Thank

you for all of your good wishes.”

Joel added on Twitter: “1st day of his life and my son is already a

trending topic on twitter. That’s right son, ur just like your old man.

wait, i’ve never been a #TT (sic).”

Experts claim the couple’s choice of name for their son show they are

“free spirits” and also keen to given their child a fashionable

moniker.

Baby name expert Pamela Redmond Satran said: “Bird names are definitely

getting hotter. Of all the animal names, bird names are the hottest.

“It has a spiritual symbolism - they're seen as light, one with the sky

and nature and in a more uplifting, positive way than other animals,

like a fox, which is more macho.

“It's an interesting choice for a son because you really can't tell if

it's a boy or a girl. Something we've started to see is parents being

much more open to giving their sons names that have a feminine feel or

are unisex.”

Nicole, 27, and Joel announced they were to become parents again in

February.