A football-mad Australian father has named his baby girl after his favourite team - but managed to keep the inspiration behind the unusual name a secret from the mother for two years.

The unidentified father's sneaky behaviour was revealed in a letter the young girl's mother wrote to Take 5 magazine.

Clare Smith, from Blacktown - a suburb in Sydney's west - told a story claiming she thought her partner had chosen the name 'Lanesra' because it was 'unique and romantic'.

A football-mad father has cheekily managed to name his baby girl after his favourite team - without telling the mother the meaning behind the unique choice

'We chose our daughter's name, Lanesra, because it was unique and romantic,' the letter to the Take 5 magazine reads.

'It wasn't 'til she was two that my husband told me it was actually his favourite soccer team, Arsenal, spelled backwards!'

The magazine clipping was posted on Reddit and quickly spread across the social news site, with racking up more than 2 million views and hundreds of comments.

The trickery also delighted fans of the football club, based in north London, with many voicing their approval on the name on social media.

The unidentified father's sneaky behaviour was revealed in a letter the young girl's mother wrote to an Australian magazine (stock image)

The cheeky naming was widely shared on social media, with many fans supporting the father's move

'What a legend,' one fan wrote.

'That's awesome! He is my new hero! Lol,' another tweeted.

'Well played sir,' another user said.

Clare Smith, from Blacktown - a suburb in Sydney's west - told a story claiming she thought her partner had chosen the name 'Lanesra' because it was 'unique and romantic' (stock image)

Arsenal's German defender Per Mertesacker gestures to supporters after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London

Others defended the mother, saying they thought the name was a good one.

'To be fair, Lanesra is a really nice name,' one person tweeted.

Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal celebrates by lifting the Premiership trophy after the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Arsenal and Everton played at Highbury, in London on May 11, 2002