John C. McGinley Welcomes Daughter Kate Aleena

Michael Kovac/FilmMagic

It’s a girl for John C. McGinley!

The former Scrubs star and wife Nichole welcomed daughter Kate Aleena McGinley on Thursday, June 24 at 5:57 p.m. in Los Angeles, his rep tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Baby Kate weighed in at 6 lbs., 2 oz. and was 19 inches long. She joins big sister Billie Grace, 2, as well as brother Max, 12, from McGinley’s previous marriage.

“While bringing Kate into this world, Nichole’s grace and strength was the stuff of heroes,” says McGinley, 50. “It was truly a miraculous delivery to witness and celebrate!”

“We are all soaking up the joy and marveling in her beauty,” adds Nichole, an Ashtanga yoga teacher and birthing doula.

Kate is resting comfortably with her family at home in Malibu.

– Sarah Michaud with reporting by Julie Jordan

Comments

what a normal sounding name! it’s really pretty! i would have like it more if it was aleena kate! she was tiny considering all of my sister’s kids were almost all 9lbs or more and 21 inches long!

- glee fan 8 on July 9th, 2010

as long as they are happy with the childs name does it really matter if others like it or not no i dont think so the fact that the baby is healthly and mum and baby are both doing well is what matters congrats to both of you i think its a beautiful name

- southernbelle on July 9th, 2010

Congrats to them. I’m sure being a yoga instructor and doula helped Nicole tremendously in getting through labor. Good for her and happy for the family. Is the 12 yr old their special needs child? I know he is very supportive of the issues affecting special needs kids.

- margie on July 9th, 2010

Well, we named our daughter Kate so of course I am partial to the name! Congratulations to the happy family.

- Marcia on July 9th, 2010

I love the name. Like it much more than Billie.

- Jaedyn on July 9th, 2010

i also have my own little kate lovely name.

southernbelle of course it only ACTUALLY matters what the parents think of the name. but this is a blog intended for people to post there opinions, and it’s not like the parents are ever going to read this, so i don’t think there is anything wrong with people expressing their opinions about names. as long as they are not being hugely disrespectful, what’s wrong with just saying that a name isn’t to your taste, or that you wouldn’t name your child that? no harm done….

- JM on July 9th, 2010

Yes Margie his son Max has downs syndrome. We love him for his tireless support of special needs kids. We too have a son named Max with DS who just turned 8. I think it is wonderful when people of his stature and position can speak for those you cannot.

- Lisa on July 9th, 2010

@Margie: Yes, Max has Down syndrome. John has been a huge advocate for families with special needs, and we thank him.

- Kris on July 9th, 2010

Congrats to the family! I have been a fan of Scrubs and John for a while now – very family orientated, genuine person.
Beautiful name, too. The daughters both have such rocker names.

- Whillow on July 9th, 2010

Congratulations! I <3 him, and what a pretty name!

- Corrie on July 9th, 2010

I love the name! Congratulations to them!

- klutzy_girl on July 9th, 2010

Congrats to the happy family. All of the best to them!

- Ali on July 9th, 2010

That name sounds so Irish, Kate McGinley, i like the name Kate. My name is hyphened with Catherine and i wish people would call me cate instead of Elle or Ella. Congrats to them both!

- Electra on July 9th, 2010

I also think Aleena Kate sounds better than Kate Aleena. They could have named her that and still called her Kate.

- dfs on July 9th, 2010

man i love him as an actor! So happy for him. Millions of best wishes and congrats to him and his beautiful family.

- Allie on July 9th, 2010

Loved him in the movie “Are We Done Yet?”

- Mary Beth on July 9th, 2010

@Lisa – My sister has Downs and she is about to turn 24! I hope things with your son Max are going well! Is he in public school? My sister went to public school her whole life and has been lucky enough to have great teachers who helped her to eventually graduate from high school.

I am so happy for John and his family and am so grateful to him for being such a visible advocate for children with special needs and their families.

- Anais on July 9th, 2010

He and his wife look like they could be siblings. They have the same unusual smiles.

- Daze on July 10th, 2010