Matildas star Lydia Williams announces she's had a baby with a UNIQUE name

Former Matildas star Lydia Williams has revealed the heartwarming news that she's now the mother of a baby named Coen Ronald Anne Williams.

The 37-year-old, who played 104 matches for her country, made the announcement on Instagram on Sunday, writing 'Welcome to the world' along with the newborn's name.

Her brilliant news drew congratulations from the Indigenous star's former Matildas teammates like Mackenzie Arnold, Kyah Simon and Tameka Yallop, as well as swimming great Giaan Rooney and Channel Seven's Mel McLaughlin.

Williams did not mention the baby's gender in her post. 

The name Coen means 'Thunder' for some Indigenous Australians, and it's also a masculine Dutch name.

Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the Netherlands, where it means 'eagle'.

Lydia Williams announced the arrival of her baby Coen Ronald Anne by posting a photo of the newborn (pictured) to Instagram on Sunday

Lydia Williams announced the arrival of her baby Coen Ronald Anne by posting a photo of the newborn (pictured) to Instagram on Sunday

Williams is pictured in one of the other photos she included in the heartwarming post

Williams is pictured in one of the other photos she included in the heartwarming post

The former Matildas star broke down when she was presented with a special gift by Indigenous sporting legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley in her final match for the side (pictured)

The former Matildas star broke down when she was presented with a special gift by Indigenous sporting legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley in her final match for the side (pictured)

Williams - who guards her private life very closely - announced she was pregnant in August last year.

She posted a photo on Instagram of her dog Caviar holding ultrasound photos of the baby with the caption, 'Incoming! Caviar has some news. Human sibling coming soon.'

That news came just over a year after she retired from the Matildas.

Williams broke down in her last match for the team when Indigenous sporting legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley presented her with a traditional animal-skin cloak. 

Bearing the captain's armband, Williams's game against China came to an end just before halftime when she was replaced by preferred goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

The 76,798-strong crowd at Sydney's Accor Stadium sent Williams off in her 104th appearance as a Matilda with a rousing standing ovation.

Williams featured in five World Cups, six AFC women's Asian Cups - including the 2010 title triumph - and two Olympic Games.

As part of the tribute Williams also received a Booka cloak from tennis great Goolagong Cawley in a pre-match ceremony.

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Williams also showed her followers this image of Coen grasping her finger

Williams also showed her followers this image of Coen grasping her finger 

The 37-year-old played 104 matches for her country

The 37-year-old played 104 matches for her country

The Booka, made from the skins of four kangaroos symbolising Williams's totem, features panels depicting her childhood and career, along with crow footprints and river rocks honouring her late father.

Artist Lea Taylor created it after secret discussions with Williams's mother, as preparing the skins is considered women's business.

It was gifted on the pitch from a Wiradjuri woman to a Noongar woman, with Goolagong Cawley hugging Williams in a complete shock to the departing Matildas star.

'To receive that gift from Evonne was just incredible and I think that was probably the moment that tipped me over emotionally,' Williams said.

'I don't know if it's like, game recognises game. It was a lovely moment.

'A lot of sporting women in Australia just want to leave the game better than when they first arrived in it and don't really realise the impact of how they have shaped the culture of not only women's sport, but just Australian sport.

'To receive that from such an icon, a legend of tennis, is just absolutely, really humbling.'

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