J.R. Martinez Welcomes Daughter Lauryn Anabelle

05/02/2012 at 11:00 PM ET
Jennifer Carrillo/Bella Rosa Photography

When J.R. Martinez brought home the season 13 mirror ball trophy on Dancing with the Stars last November, he was a proud man.

But nothing beats the feeling Martinez had when he and girlfriend Diana Gonzalez-Jones welcomed daughter Lauryn Anabelle Martinez on Wednesday evening, May 2 in Los Angeles.

“She’s already got a nickname — Belle,” Martinez, 28, tells PEOPLE of his newborn baby girl, who weighed in at 7 lbs., 13 oz. and is 21 inches long.

“She has a couple of cute little freckles on her cheeks, a full head of hair and the cutest little lips,” he continues.

“It’s just amazing to see her, finally. She’s beautiful.”

The Iraq war veteran and Gonzalez-Jones met when he landed a role on All My Children in 2008, and announced in December that they were expecting their first child.

“God has a tremendous sense of humor that he wants to continue to surround me with women,” Martinez said with a laugh, revealing that a baby girl was on the way.

— Monica Rizzo

FILED UNDER: Births , Exclusive , News

Share this story:

Your reaction:

Add A Comment

PEOPLE.com reserves the right to remove comments at their discretion.

Comments + Add a comment

Showing 85 comments

seila on May 2nd, 2012

Love the name! unique yet not freaky 🙂

Jen on May 2nd, 2012

Awwww, I’m so happy for them!! I just love him. Can’t wait to see pics of the little one, I’m sure she’s gorgeous!

Jamie Graham on May 2nd, 2012

Congratulations, I’m very happy for both of you:)

Terri on May 2nd, 2012

congrats to a wonderful couple. What a beautiful name. 🙂

Kerrie on May 2nd, 2012

Congratulations to both J.R. & Diana!!!!! After winning DWTS, this has got to be the utmost highest (like floating on cloud nine) thing to happen to this couple. I’m so very happy for the both of you!!!! I wish you all a very happy life together!!!!!

meg on May 2nd, 2012

Congratulations! A lucky girl to be born to such an awesome daddy (and mommy)!

colettetruax on May 2nd, 2012

i watched him on dwts! i love his personality and his charisma! he is such an inspiration. and he deserves the very best so congratulations!!!!

Siera on May 2nd, 2012

Aww! Sounds like Lauryn Anabelle (love the name by the way 🙂 has her daddy wrapped around her little finger already. Congrats to J.R. and Diana on their new little family member 🙂

Julie on May 2nd, 2012

Congratulations to both of u! I do admire u JR!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ur little girl is going to b so proud of her heroe!

Holiday on May 2nd, 2012

Congrats to them! I adore the name!!

Liz on May 2nd, 2012

I just Wikipediaed J.R. Martinez and he had an older sister named Anabel who died before he was able to meet her. I think it is a nice choice to honor his late sister this way. I love the name before I found out that information!!!

shannon on May 2nd, 2012

what a nice name congratulations to JR and Diana!!!

stacey on May 2nd, 2012

Congratulations!!! How refreshing that she has such a normal, pretty name!!

Kelly on May 2nd, 2012

Congratulations to this beautiful couple!! Awwwwe, she shares the same birthday, weight, and length as my firstborn!

Erin on May 2nd, 2012

FINALLY…people with enough common sense to give their baby a beautiful name that she will be proud to carry. Congratulations to this wonderful family.

Celia on May 2nd, 2012

Finally, a celebrity who doesn’t saddle their kid with a weird name!! I didn’t think it would ever happen again, but it took a genuine American Hero to bring us back…Lauryn Annabelle…what a lovely name for a girl…and congrats to the parents!!

ashley on May 2nd, 2012

congrats

staceyhead84 on May 2nd, 2012

Congratulations to the two of them! I love the name!!

twinhappy on May 2nd, 2012

congrats! nice name!

stef24 on May 2nd, 2012

I love that he was thrilled to be having a daughter…he wasn’t one of those men who just have to have a boy first! I think someone is going to have her daddy wrapped around her little finger in NO time! Congratulations!

Madeline M Rirgler on May 2nd, 2012

Hi my Name is Madeline and I so proud of what you did for us in keeping us safe.And I am happy for your new family this is a new beginning for and your family. Congratulations .

Julie on May 2nd, 2012

Congratulations J.R. and Diana! I love the name!

librababe on May 2nd, 2012

Aww, little Lauryn sounds gorgeous and that name rocks…so subtly pretty!

Lauryn makes me think of Lauryn Hill, which is cool, and Anabelle is soo soft and delicate…and the nickname “Belle” is sweet! Congrats!

April on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to see a picture! So happy they gave her a respectable name 🙂

lydia on May 3rd, 2012

pretty name and congrats.

JessicaB on May 3rd, 2012

awww, beautiful name. congratulations!

kaya on May 3rd, 2012

Hooray for them! I wish nothing but the best for this family.

Natalie on May 3rd, 2012

Awwww! Congrats to J.R. and Diana! Really pretty name too.

Zach on May 3rd, 2012

Congrats to them, and yes – great, very un-celebrity name!!

Brianne on May 3rd, 2012

Congrats, JR and Diana! Love the name, and I’m sure she’s precious!!!

Cinder Lou on May 3rd, 2012

Spoken like a proud new papa! And Lauryn Anabelle … it’s a lovely name for who, I’m sure, is a beautiful daughter.

postathread on May 3rd, 2012

Congrats on the birth of a healthy baby girl..and congrats on a NORMAL name!! 🙂

Guest on May 3rd, 2012

What wonderful news! Congratulations to J.R. and Diana of the birth of their daughter, Lauryn Annabelle! There is nothing more endearing than how a father describes his new born child, what J.R. said about his daughter is absolutely beautiful. God bless this beautiful family.

Kim Anderzak on May 3rd, 2012

OHHHH! How exciting for you all! Her name is beautiful…even her initials spell “LAM”…Gentle, Sweet, & Oh, So Precious! GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY WITH A LIFETIME OF JOY & HAPPINESS! ((Big Hugs!!))

DARLENE JANUARY on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations to one of my fav stars of AMC and DWTS… so happy for you!

molly on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations! Your pride shines through in your beautiful words about your little Lauryn. Much happiness to you and your family

Fallon on May 3rd, 2012

Beautiful couple…beautiful baby name. Congrats!

TODAY on May 3rd, 2012

GOD BLESS YOU …BEST OF LUCK!

Bert on May 3rd, 2012

CONGRATULATION TO BOTH OF YOU! GOD IS GOOD<3

KGurley on May 3rd, 2012

Lauryn Anabelle Martinez, welcome 2 the world. Ur parents picked a beautiful name 4 a beautiful girl! 🙂

Sarah on May 3rd, 2012

Interesting that she has freckles already. I didn’t know that you could be born WITH them; I thought that you were born with a genetic predisposition for them and they come with exposure to the sun! Now, I’m not claiming to be a scientist or anything like that — this just grabbed my attention because I have a freckle-y face, too!

Anand on May 3rd, 2012

Hey congrats… Jr… Love the name man…..

sara on May 3rd, 2012

Congrats! The name is cute but it would be a lot better if it were spelled Lauren

mindy on May 3rd, 2012

Congrats to the new parents, they deserve this wonderful blessing. So nice to see a perfectly normal name like Lauryn.

funkytown on May 3rd, 2012

I’ve loved JR since his first appearance on DWTS…a huge congrats and all the best wishes in the world to this wonderful couple. LOVE THE BABY’S NAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so much happiness and love your way, JR!!

Mary on May 3rd, 2012

So very glad the little girl is here safe and sound! LOVE the name. With so many celebrities going so over the top trying to name their child, Lauryn is not only a refreshing change, it’s BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations and best wishes to the parents and Lauryn!!!

bh on May 3rd, 2012

Such a pretty name. Congrats to them. Maybe now they can plan a wedding.

Sandra on May 3rd, 2012

Hurray!! Congratulations on the birth of your new baby girl! It could not happen to a nicer couple! I am so thrilled to hear the beautiful name that you have given to her too. Finally a name that makes sense, as the names that these celebrities have given their babies in the recent years is just crazy. Feel sorry for the kids as they are growing up! LOL! Enjoy her as the time sure does fly by! P.S. Gotta love those little girls, as I have two myself!

christa on May 3rd, 2012

Beautiful name congrats.

Susan Albert on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations JR and Diana. Love your baby’s name. You deserve the best. You are truly a hero and inspiration.

Jen on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations and God bless mom, dad and daughter. Thank you for your service JR you are a hero at my house.

Daffygrams on May 3rd, 2012

Very happy for them both. Love her name!

Anna on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations! And a NORMAL name! Fantastic!

Tammy on May 3rd, 2012

That little girl came into this world so blessed. Congrats to Diana and J.R.!

KD on May 3rd, 2012

Awesome, love her name too!

Tammy on May 3rd, 2012

To all you who are wondering about the freckles…YES…Babies CAN be born with freckles…I have 4 and 2/4 of them were born with freckles. Yes, they are a genetic disposition…but if your parents are of a non-caucasion gender…which Mr. Martinez & Ms. Gonzalez-Jones appear to be…any of their children may be born with freckles…(my Hubs is a Peurto Rican). They could also be considered birthmarks. My Lily has a gorgeous freckle/birth mark right on her earlobe. Congratulations to Mr. Martinez..THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE & SACRIFICE…and to Ms. Gonzalez-Jones on the birth of your daughter.

T in Texas on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations . I love both of ya’lls smiles . One happy family . . .

Jeana on May 3rd, 2012

Congrats

Shell on May 3rd, 2012

CONGRATS to both of you!!! I watched JR on DWTS and he is an amazing person and an inspiration to MANY!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work and I wish your family the very best.

Jessica on May 3rd, 2012

I like them! Nice people with a beautiful, feminine name. A very courageous daddy…..congratulations to you both.

MARGARET on May 3rd, 2012

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BIRTH OF YOUR DAUGHTER AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.LOVED YOU ON DANCING WITH THE STARS,LOVE YOUR DAUGHTERS NAME LOTS OF HAPPINESS IN YOUR NEW LIFE AS PARENTS.

Michaele on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations!! U are a beautiful famaily…be blessed!

Samantha on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations on the sweet baby girl! I bet she is beautiful!

maryelarson on May 3rd, 2012

Who does she look like? With the two of she got to like an angel.

Mrs. Morales on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations to JR and Diana! Love the name 🙂

TT on May 3rd, 2012

Loved JR on DWTS and great actor on AMC. You are an inspiration to others and it was great seeing you do those inspirational talks to people. Hope to see you acting on TV soon. Love the girly name! Congratulations to you on having some well-deserved happiness!!

Susan on May 3rd, 2012

Congrats to the both of them!!! What a beautiful name. This baby is going to get all the love in the world with JR as a father.

K on May 3rd, 2012

Freckles and sun spots are NOT the same thing.

Julianna on May 3rd, 2012

What a beautiful name. So elegant and timeless. Love the nickname too! Congratulations to the new parents.

Linda R on May 3rd, 2012

Congratulations !! love the name ..no one will ever think She is a boy..too bad Jessica Simpson’s baby can’t say the same ! Pretty girly name with a cute nickname. Nice way to honor his dead Sister.

avamarcel on May 3rd, 2012

Welcome lil’ girl!! 😀

And that is such a wonderful name…sounds pretty…And Im sure she must be pretty! 🙂

Patt on May 3rd, 2012

Wonderful news – we voted for JR every week when he was dancing!

Shannon on May 3rd, 2012

Beautiful name. Beautiful parents. Beautiful family. Congrats.

Anonymous on May 3rd, 2012

Linda R.- And who says people thinking you’re a boy is a bad thing? People used to mistake me for a boy all the time when I was a kid (although because of the tomboyish way I sometimes dressed and the fact that I had pretty much the same haircut that Shiloh Jolie-Pitt currently sports, not my name), and for the most part it didn’t bother me.

In fact, when people were continuing to do so once I was a teenager, I laughed about it because by then my development up top should have made it clear that I wasn’t male (let’s just say I’m not exactly small in that particular region!). Yes, there were occasionally times it annoyed me to get mistaken for a guy, but for the most part I didn’t let it get to me. For all we know, Jessica’s little girl might end up being the same way!

Anyway, congrats to J.R. and his girlfriend!

gwen on May 4th, 2012

Congratulations to you both. What a lucky little girl Belle will be
as she grows up to learn what an awsome Daddy she has. I can just
see the sparkle in your eyes as you show her this wonderful world
that you helped her live in.
I wish only happiness for you. God Bless
G.Willis

Virginia Dearing on May 4th, 2012

Congrates. He is so handsome.

Virginia on May 4th, 2012

Congrats J.R. & Diana! And J.R. I loved you on dancing with the stars. Thank you so much for serving our country and you are such an inspiration and truely a beautiful person full of love, life and charisma!!

sheri on May 5th, 2012

absolutely beautiful name! i love the different spelling!

THERESA VALDEZ on May 5th, 2012

J.R AND DIANA, I TRULY AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU TWO. JR, YOU ARE JUST A BEAUTIFUL PERSON AND DIANA SO ARE YOU! BELLE IS THE LUCKIEST GIRL AROUND. MY SON MICHAEL HAS DOWNS SYNDROME, AND HE CALLS ME “BELLE” WE BOTH WATCH DANCING WITHE STARS. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND SOMETHING SPECIAL TO YOUR NEW ANGEL.HEY DIANA, MAYBE YOU CAN BE ON DANCING?????? LOVE AND PEACE THERESA

Doreen on May 5th, 2012

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!

sizrhpy70 on May 7th, 2012

Wishing the couple all the best! Congrats! Now do something truly honorable and get married.

Tanya on May 12th, 2012

whats with that girl talking about frekles? who cares grow up! JR i think even if you didnt serive this countrey or werent in oltl or dwts….the comment about your daughter just made you a hero times ten! congrats to both! i however do not like the name as that must but it is however a very normal name,im sure she is beauitful! no ofence but jessica simpson naming her daughter maxwell is just weird…..however i send her best wishes as well!

Delia on May 21st, 2012

Congrats to JR and his wife on the birth of their daughter!!

LPW on May 23rd, 2012

Beautiful family, beautiful name. Congratulations!

Janet on May 23rd, 2012

I am so happy for the both of them!