In a PEOPLE exclusive, 47-year-old actress Mariska Hargitay and husband, actor Peter Hermann share that they have added to their family by adopting a baby girl.
The couple have named their new daughter Amaya Josephine. She was born about a week ago and was born in the U.S. Mariska also opens up to PEOPLE magazine about considering international and domestic adoption by saying:
"We were considering both international and domestic adoption and we're thrilled that this is the way our prayers were answered," she adds. "We talked a lot about mixed-race adoptions, and we are very excited that we are now a multi-racial family. We're just so happy she's here."
How did they come up with a cute name like Amaya? The SVU starlet explains:
"I liked that name, but I wanted her to have the same initials as August," Hargitay explains. "I thought adding the 'A' was so feminine. Amaya sounded so open and feminine and beautiful – just like her."
The couple have one biological child, 4-year-old son August.
