Amy's baby name tribute to Jewish family roots

Melanie Finn

Brian O'Driscoll and Amy Huberman's decision to call their baby Sadie was a nod to the actress's Jewish heritage.

The pretty name is Hebrew in origin and fittingly for the newborn daughter of rugby royalty, it means 'Princess'.

Amy's father, Harold Huberman, was born in London to a Polish Jewish family and the Threesome actress has always been very proud of her roots.

Research

Although Amy (33) was raised Catholic, her grandfather fled from Poland to Britain shortly before World War I to avoid persecution.

"She has always been very interested in her family history and has done a lot of research on it. They both really liked the Hebrew name Sadie so they decided to go for it," said a source.

Keen to find out more about her family history, Amy previously paid a visit to Auschwitz.

And at her July 2010 wedding to Brian (43), his burly rugby pals even did the Wedding Hora with her, a popular Jewish tradition.

Heritage

And Amy was clearly eager to carry on that heritage when it came to naming the couple's first baby.

Sadie arrived a week early last Sunday morning at Holles Street maternity hospital, being born at 10.30am, just hours after Amy attended the IFTAs.

Hard-working Amy is now due to take several months off to enjoy parenthood as she lets work take a back seat to caring for her newborn.

"She has worked pretty consistently for the past number of years and is really going to enjoy this time off to just revel in being a mum.

"It's a very special time for her and Brian and they want to savour every minute of it," the source added.

"When she wasn't busy acting, she was writing books so it has been a whirlwind time for her, so her priority now is just caring for Sadie. But she has made it very clear that she will be a working mum when the time is right."

Last year saw her taking a starring role in the second installment of the hit Comedy Central series Threesome, where she ironically played new mum Alice Heston.

However, there has been no word yet as to whether the British station will go ahead with a third series of the show.

Amy also completed work on new Irish movie The Stag when she was six months pregnant and the flick is due to be released later this year. Telling the story of a group of male friends who embark on an Irish stag party, Amy played the part of the laidback bride.

The film is billed as Ireland's answer to the Hangover and producers shot around the actresses growing baby bump as they were so keen to have her in the movie.

mfinn@herald.ie