LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage's wife of 14 months gave birth on Monday to the couple's first child together, a son they named Kal-el -- a moniker recognized by comic book fans as the birth name of Superman.

The child's delivery in New York City and his full name, Kal-el Coppola Cage, were confirmed by the actor's publicist, Annett Wolf, who said of the family, "They are healthy and happy and it's quite lovely."

No further details were released, including how the actor and his wife, Alice Kim Cage, were inspired to borrow from the mythology of Superman in naming their child.

Cage is known as an avid comic book devotee who once sold his personal collection, including a copy of Superman's 1938 pulp debut, at auction for more than $1.6 million.

The nephew of famed filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, the actor adopted his own stage surname from the Marvel Comics superhero Luke Cage.

Cage also was at one time slated to star in a Superman movie under the direction of Tim Burton, a project that ultimately was scrapped and replaced by a newer Warner Bros. remake expected for release next summer.

The 41-year-old actor and his wife, a former sushi waitress about 20 years his junior, met at a nightclub last year before marrying on July 30, 2004.

Cage has a 15-year-old son, Weston, by a prior relationship with actress Kristina Fulton. His previous marriages to actress Patricia Arquette and singer Lisa Marie Presley ended in divorce. Kal-el is his current wife's first child.

The prolific performer won an Academy Award as best actor for his 1995 role as an alcoholic bent on suicide in "Leaving Las Vegas." In his latest film, "Lord of War," he portrays an arms dealer.

This kid is so gonna be made fun of. Just like the kid who's name is Audioscience, Apple, and so many more god awful names.

This kid is so gonna be made fun of. Just like the kid who's name is Audioscience, Apple, and so many more god awful names.

Hey that my real name!! Just kidding...

Who named their child Audioscience?

Shannyn Sossamon. She was in that movie with Josh Hartnett where he gave up sex for Lent.

^I liked that movie

Least we not forget Banjo and Pilot Inspektor. I kid you not, those are real names. Celebrities must hate their children.

LMAO @ BoSox!!

Hahaha......TVGuide had a funny thing saying that maybe Kal-El is supposed to mean "apple" in Superman's native planet's language.

Kal-El Cage - I think that's a cool name. I give props to Nicolas for naming his son after someone he loves....even if its a superhero.

::burp::

I'll have wateva he's havin...

::burp::

the name celeberites name their kids..............

Let's not forget that he got "Cage" from the comic book character, "Luke Cage"...Anyway, am I the only one who just realized that his wife is 21 years old? Yikes.

Nikolas is a FREAK Show AND the biggest overactor in the bizz.

His oscar win was UNDESERVED and overrated IMO and I cannot watch ANY of his films, they just piss me off.

He was married to Patricia Arquette? How did that end?