By Jonathan Duffy BBC News Online

"You're always nervous having children," a grinning David Beckham told the waiting press shortly after the birth of his new baby.

And the waiting world nodded with heartfelt agreement.

"Oscar, Mike, Charlie, Victor... or Romeo"

Except in the case of Britain's leading celebrity couple, the Beckhams, the public's anxiety was pinpointed more at the birth certificate than the delivery room.

And so the sense of relief was palpable. Romeo Beckham. It could have been worse... a lot worse.

Romeo is at least recognised as a real person's name (there are about 200 in Britain already). Unlike Brooklyn, of course, which until the birth of David and Victoria's first child three years ago, was merely associated with an urban landmass on the east coast of America.

And with the Beckhams' A-list celebrity credentials, the omens had not looked good.

The surname Romeo

Appears across most of Italy sparingly Prominent in Sicily, Calabria and the north-west From the Byzantine Romioi, which means of Rome Source: Surnames of Italy

After all, on Planet Showbiz there is a time-honoured trend for giving your offspring totally bonkers names.

Jack and Chloe may be top of the list among those who have to hold down a mortgage and a nine to five job, but it is an entirely different tribe who occupy the pages of OK! and Heat magazines.

If anyone needs reminding, there is Honey Kinny, Betty Kitten and Harvey Kirby - the children of the more prosaically named Jonathan Ross and Jane Goldman.

Parents of the remarkably un-showbizy Jack and Chloe

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has a daughter called Dandelion, U2 singer Bono has a boy named Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q and Dylan Jagger is the sobriquet of one of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's joint productions.

Clan elders include Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa, Rolan Bolan, Ziggy Marley and Zowie Bowie (although he's now known as Duncan).

In fact, silly names have never been the sole preserve of celebrity offspring.

There was the case last year of the Brazilian father who named his child Osama Bin Laden and some years ago a Venezuelan lawyer with a Marxist bent named his three sons Vladimir, Ilich and Lenin.

Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily

The middle of these lived up to his father's revolutionary expectations by becoming a notorious globe-trotting terrorist, better known as Carlos the Jackal.

Suddenly Lark Song and Summer Song - young members of Mia Farrow's extensive brood - don't seem too bad.

All this must go down well in celebrity circles, but what is the long-term prognosis for the poor creatures who are saddled with such names?

Surprisingly good, says Professor Helen Petrie, who has researched the psychology of naming.

"There is of course the fact that unusual names mean you will be remembered. But there's no evidence to suggest you will suffer in later life for having an unusual name," she says.

No strings attached? Dweezil Zappa

"I've never seen any evidence to suggest those with peculiar names end up more emotionally disturbed."

What's the story?

The trend for strange names has spilled over into the mainstream in recent years.

"Parents used to take the saints and the royal family as inspiration for naming their children. Now they tend to look to Hello! magazine," says Ms Petrie.

And that's not always a good thing, she advises. "There should be some story behind a name, some reason for it."

In that sense, the Beckhams' choice of Brooklyn - it was where he was conceived - passes the test.

And Romeo? Even in Italy, home to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, it's not a common first name, says Ms Petrie.

The inspiration? Former Ipswich footballer Romeo Zondervan

"We don't know why they've chosen the name. There could be some deeper meaning. My problem with it is that it's a very Italian sounding name that jars with the surname Beckham.

"And, I know it's a boy's name, but it sounds, rather puzzlingly, feminine."

Your comments so far:

I was named after the original version of the film Sabrina - and my mother made it my second name, in case I didn't like it. The name Sabrina was considered unusual and exotic in the US and UK for a long time (until Sabrina the Teenage Witch came along). In Brazil, however, it's associated with transvestites and brothel keepers - and Brazilians think my first name is exotic (it's Helen).
Sabrina Gledhill, Brazil

Having an unusual name has its benefits and its down points, you get remembered but also, your the girl with the strange name that noone can pronounce!
Helene Traxler, UK

Having a girl's name (I'm male) makes me much more memorable to new friends than my personality deserves, and gives me a (tenuous) reason to ignore credit cards who chase "Mrs" Wheeler for their bills. And it teaches you to be the baddest b*stard in the playground. I'll be tormenting my children in similarly character-building ways.
Sacha Wheeler, England

"Marjorie" was originally my second name and my first name was "Sabekayo" which means something frightening in Zulu. I had a tough time at school - everyone used to laugh at me. I finally moved the name and removed Sabekayo totally.
Marjorie Mlambo, Zimbabwe

Two of my kids are called Flan and Chip, unusual names in this country, but no one forgets them. Romeo is a lovely name and actually isn't weird at all. Good choice and good luck mum and dad!
Jon Rees, England

I love having an unusual name, lots of people comment on what a pretty name I have. There were never two "Nicolette's" in my class at school, although I do remember being the last person in my class to be able to spell my name as it is so long!
Nicolette Dentith, England

...at least my name is unique - I think.
Wynford Emanuel, UK

Wendy is not altogether unusual, but I used to live in Denmark, where my name pronounced phonetically is Danish for window. Growing up was fun.
Wendy, UK

My nan's middle name was Louvaine. She was named after a French town that was bombed during the first world war. Her father was serving in the army there and left the day before it was bombed. Which just happened to be the day she was born. I promised her that if I ever had a daughter i would give her that name.
Lisa, London

My three names are nothing unusual in themselves (Ian Richard Anthony), though my resulting initials are somewhat startling. This label would have paled in comparison to my parents initial plans, however, to name me Anthony Charles Edward. Shame, really, as I wouldn't have minded being called ACE Jordan.
Ian Jordan, England

As a child it was humiliating to have an unusual name, and it always needs to be explained and spelled twice. Now I'm proud and pleased to have such a pretty and interesting name - and its a great way to start a conversation with an attractive stranger.
Pepita Maiden, UK/Australia

I have not got that much of an unusual name I never really suffered until Kylie hit the scene, now whenever i tell anybody my name it becomes Kylie and will be spelt Kylie. Kylie is a nice name but mine is Kyla.
Kyla Walker, England

Are you saddled with an unusual name? Or would you like one, to stand out from the crowd?