Beyonce gives birth to baby girl - Ivy Blue Carter

Beyonce and Jay-Z are reported to have rented an entire hospital floor Picture

Singer Beyonce Knowles has reportedly given birth to a baby girl at a hospital in New York City.

Mother and baby were both "doing fine," her hometown newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, reported. The news was later confirmed by entertainment news website E! Online, which said the birth was by C-section.

The 30-year-old Destiny's Child and Single Ladies star is married to hip-hop icon Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter.

Jay-Z was telling friends he and Beyonce named their daughter Blue Ivy Carter, E! Online reported. Other media outlets named the baby as Ivy Blue Carter, but representatives for the couple have yet to officially confirm the news.

Pop star Rihanna and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons were among the couple's friends to tweet their congratulations.

Simmons tweeted: "Congrats to my good friends Beyonce and Jay-Z."

"Welcome to the world princess Carter! Love Aunty Rih," pop star Rihanna tweeted later.

The couple rented out the entire fourth floor of Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan for the birth - paying $1.3 million, the New York Daily News reported.

The medical centre prepared a luxurious suite for her and had just finished a major renovation of a dozen rooms and a nursing station for the couple's arrival, sources said.

The newspaper said a hospital staffer had revealed Beyonce had checked in Friday night under the name "Ingrid Jackson."

Hospital management reportedly put tape over security cameras and forced staff to hand in their cell phones in an effort to stop unauthorised photographs or footage of mother and baby being leaked.

Security guards were also reported to have been sighted outside the building.

Beyonce revealed her pregnancy at August's 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, arriving in a dress that showed off her baby bump.

Former bandmate Kelly Rowland appeared to let slip the baby's sex in a November interview, saying, "I have no idea what I'm going to buy Beyonce at the baby shower because Jay is going to buy that little girl every single thing possible. She won't be spoiled but she will be very well looked-after."

Beyonce's representatives did not return requests for comments. A hospital spokeswoman also declined to comment.

Last month Twitter exploded with rumours Beyonce had given birth to a baby girl and had named her Tiana-May Carter.

Jay-Z planning to get his unborn baby an armoured vehicle

New Jersey Nets' minority owner Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles sit courtside

Jay-Z is planning to splash out on an armoured vehicle to protect his unborn baby.

The rapper's wife Beyonce Knowles is pregnant with the couple's first child and Jay-Z is so determined to keep the child safe, he has asked Tom Cruise for advice on the safest mode of transport for the family.

A source said: "Jay is looking at action-movie style vehicles like Tom's and wants to make sure they are bullet-proof and 100 per cent safe. He won't be taking any risks that's for sure."

In addition to the armoured car, Jay-Z, 41, is also planning to splash out on a new home for him and his family in Florida and has told Beyonce money is not an object.

The source added to Britain's OK! magazine: "They went house hunting together last week and he made it clear that she can pick whichever one she likes. All Jay will care about is that it's secluded and very well protected. Other than that so long as Bey loves it, he will too.

"He said to her that even if the house of her dreams costs him £12 million, he'll buy it. He sees it as a thank you for making his dream to be a father come true."

Beyoncé: 'I'm having so much fun being pregnant'

Beyoncé has said that she is enjoying her pregnancy.

The '1+1' singer announced that she is expecting her first child with husband Jay-Z at this year's MTV Video Music Awards.

She has since confessed that she is happy she does not have to hide the fact anymore.

"I am having so much fun. It has been the most fun time now that it has been announced," Beyoncé told CNN UK.

The singer, who was rumoured to be pregnant in November 2010, went on to say that she is especially enjoying shopping for maternity wear.

"It was really difficult to conceal," Beyoncé said. "But now... I can be proud and excited about it, I'm having so much fun shopping - it's great!"

Jay-Z is said to be overjoyed that his wife is pregnant with the couple's first child.