Larry Birkhead with Dannielynn on the cover of OKLarry Birkhead has confirmed he has changed the surname of his daughter Dannielynn from Stern to Birkhead to reflect the fact he has been named the biological father of the child.

Anna Nicole Smith named the seven month old girl Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern and listed Howard K Stern as the father on the baby’s birth certificate. But after the DNA results were confirmed last week, Larry has changed it.

As part of his exclusive photo deal with OK magazine, he said: “Birkhead has been swapped for Stern, but I don’t want to change anything else.”

Anna Nicole originally named her daughter Hannibel (Hannah) Rose Hogan but changed the name in October in memory of her son Daniel, who died shortly after the baby’s birth last September.

Larry added: “[Dannielynn is] what her mother named her and, even though I didn’t get a say, I still want to respect her mother’s wishes.”

He also explained that he has no hard feelings towards Howard and in fact now that the paternity case has been settled, the two are getting along quite well: “It seems unlikely but he’s been a great help. He’s just really tuned me in, because he’s been with Dannielynn the last several months.”

“He knows her likes and dislikes, and he’s kind enough to help me out.”

The custody of the child has yet to be finalised by the court overseeing the case in the Bahamas but based on his paternity, Larry is expected to be granted custody and he has reportedly already hired a new nanny - said to be 40 years old and very religious - to help him look after his daughter.