Beckhams play to Spanish fans - but give their new son a girl's name

The first was named after a gritty area of New York. The second was blessed with the name of the most famous of Shakespeares heroes.

The first was named after a gritty area of New York. The second was blessed with the name of the most famous of Shakespeares heroes.

The third son of Victoria and David Beckham, however, appears to have pulled the short straw. The Beckhams have bestowed upon the latest addition to the family a name traditionally reserved for Spanish girls.

The word cruz, which means cross in Spanish, is most commonly a surname but is also an old-fashioned Christian name for girls. The choice may be a belated attempt by the family to win over their Spanish hosts as Beckham continues to play for Real Madrid.

Cruz, who joins brothers Brooklyn, five, and Romeo, two, weighed 7lbs 2oz after being delivered by Caesarean section at 9.40am yesterday at the Ruber International Hospital in Madrid.

Beckham said: "We've got a baby boy, his name is Cruz, that's C-r-u-z. He's beautiful and he's in there with his brothers. He's a healthy little boy and his mum is very well so we're a happy family. He's got Victoria's lips and nose. He's gorgeous."