Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the First Lady of France, has given birth to a baby girl, according to multiple reports. The baby is the first born to a ruling French leader since the days of Napoleon. REUTERS

The first lady of the French Republic, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has finally confirmed the name of their newborn daughter as Giulia.

In a message on her official Web site Thursday, the new mother mentioned that I am deeply touched by the many messages of congratulations that I have received since the birth of our daughter Giulia.

The baby girl is Bruni's second child and the fourth of her husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy. The baby is reportedly the first child to have been born to a French presidential couple in office.

However, the president strictly maintained that he wanted to keep the arrival of their baby a private matter.

We have been lucky enough to find great happiness. All parents understand our very profound joy, a joy all the deeper because it is private, the Los Angeles Times quoted Sarkozy stating during a visit to a factory in western France on Thursday.

With presidential elections coming next year, the baby might help boost the French leader's lagging popularity.