Why Beckhams named daughter Seven

To anyone, the Number Seven might mean nothing, but to British football superstar David Beckham, it means everything.

First, he wore a number seven shirt when he played for Manchester United, and when his wife Victoria gave birth on Sunday, their first daughter who joined three sons, the couple named her Harper Seven.

The baby’s first name (Harper) is fairly rare, an old English name, but one that Victoria has always liked.

It could be a reference to To Kill A Mockingbird author Harper Lee or even the fashion and lifestyle magazine Harper’s Bazaar, the cover of which Victoria has featured on a couple of occasions.

It has proved to be a popular name with celebrities, such as Foo Fighters Dave Grohl, Lisa Marie Presley, and Neil Patrick Harris, who named their daughters Harper.

Seven pounds

But the second name, Seven, could be unprecedented. The girl arrived around 7am on the seventh day of the week and in the seventh month of the year and weighed about seven pounds.

A source in Los Angeles told The Sun: “The couple loved the name Harper. It has no hidden meaning — they just fell for the name and think it has a lovely sound.

“They went for Seven as a middle name as they think it is a lucky and spiritual number. And the baby arrived around 7am in July — the seventh month.”

In the Bible, there are the seven days of creation, and ancient Rome had seven gods, which gave their names to days of the week.

But the most likely reason the Beckhams chose it is because it was David’s shirt number at Manchester United and for England.

Speculation that the birth was imminent has been fuelled after Beckham’s wife, a former member of the Spice Girls, failed to accompany her husband to a weekend reception for visiting Prince William and his new wife Catherine.

“David and Victoria Beckham are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter,” said a spokesman.

“Happy and healthy, she arrived at 7.55am this morning (Sunday) at Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles and weighed 7lbs 10oz.

“Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz are excited to welcome their new baby sister to the family.” The three Beckham sons are 12, eight and six.

The spokesman dismissed a report in one British newspaper that Prince William could be godfather for baby.

The footballer was spotted talking to Britain’s future king on Friday evening at the residence of Britain’s consul-general in LA, where the royal couple stayed over the weekend.

Former England captain David, 36, and pop star-turned fashion designer Victoria, 37, married in 1999 and live in Los Angeles where he plays for LA Galaxy.

Victoria — known as “Posh Spice” during her days with the Spice Girls — had said before her pregnancy was announced that she was open to the idea of another child, but resigned to the fact that she might never have a daughter.

Victoria has swapped pop for fashion in recent years, launching her own successful label.

Previously, she dominated the music charts in the late 90s with hits such as Wannabe, Mama and Two Become One. The group sold 75 million records.