Madelyn Rae Bennett arrived at the Erlanger Baroness Hospital on Tuesday, just 62 minutes into 2019, according to an Erlanger news release.
First-time parents Kristen French and Adam Bennett of Rossville, Georgia, welcomed Madelyn into the world at 6 pounds and 1 ounce. She was 18.5 inches long.
"Even though we thought she was going to be born on the 31st, we wanted to beat everyone in Chattanooga and have the first baby of the New Year," French was quoted as saying.
The pair said they chose the name Madelyn "because we just love that name."
"It's exciting to have the first baby of the New Year and we think it's cool for her," French said.
Bennett said it has been hard to put Madelyn down ever since she was born.
"It's almost obsessive; we just want to keep holding her," he said.