In a message on her website, she wrote: "I am deeply touched by the many messages of congratulations that I have received since the birth of our daughter Giulia.
"On this happy occasion, my husband joins me in expressing our warmest thanks to all those of you who sent us these tokens of your kindness."
Earlier her husband Nicolas Sarkozy spoke of his "very profound joy" at the birth of his daughter, as his "father of the nation" appeal is expected to give him a much needed poll boost.
The French president and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy decided not to announce the baby's arrival officially, but Mr Sarkozy reacted warmly when waste-processing plant workers gave him gifts during a visit to the western Mayenne region and confirmed he will take no paternity leave.
"They're doing really well," he told employees. "We are lucky … All parents here can understand our very profound joy, a joy all the deeper because it is private".
With no official confirmation on the name, Le Figaro said it believed the couple had plumped for either Giulia – the spelling in Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy's native Italy – or Julia, in a nod to Mr Sarkozy's Hungarian roots.
Given the president's past habit of publicising his private life, the culture shift to discretion suggests Mr Sarkozy is determined not to lay himself open to criticism that he is exploiting the birth for political gain. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Thursday, October 20, 2011
