The list of names pop stars have given their offspring is long and ludicrous. But Paul Weller has proved there's always space for a couple more, naming his newborn twins John Paul and Bowie after his musical heroes.

The former Jam frontman's wife, Hannah, gave birth to the twins on Saturday, according to a message on his website. It added: "Both boys are healthy and doing well following the birth and Paul and Hannah are thrilled and over the moon."

Weller's tribute to his twin inspirations, the Beatles and David Bowie, should not be considered far out by pop star standards. Bowie's first child went by the name of Zowie Bowie for some time, before reverting to the more sober Duncan Jones and becoming a hit Hollywood film-maker.

Frank Zappa's first daughter was named Moon Unit, although she was in good company with siblings Dweezil, Ahmet and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen. And when it comes to musical tributes, Weller was beaten to the Beatles by Liam Gallagher, who named his first son Lennon.

Weller, now 53, shot to fame with the Jam during punk's heyday, scoring a string of No 1s such as Going Underground and A Town Called Malice. Since then he's constantly reinvented himself, first with the poppier Style Council and then as a solo artist. He's currently undergoing something of a career renaissance after rave reviews for his last album Wake Up The Nation. His 11th LP, Sonik Kicks, is set for release in March.