Congratulations, it’s a boy! The moment has finally come and with the joy and wonder comes the responsibility of naming your bundle of joy. Relax, there is certainly no shortage of names to choose from but you will want the name to have some meaning for the baby and your family. Some parents like to wait until the actual birth and let the moment decide what the baby boy will be called but it’s also a good idea to plan ahead of time so you’re sure you pick the name that fits best.

Names come in all varieties. Baby boy names can be popular such as John or Michael, unique as in Phineas or Chandler, or have meanings in ancient history or foreign languages. Some parents choose to name their baby boy after daddy or grandfather or another family member who they wish to honor and remember with his name being carried on for another generation. Other parents want their little boy to be his own person and will go the other direction in finding a name that is uncommon yet still creative.

A good idea is to sit down with your spouse and other kids if you have them and discuss the new addition to the family and open up the conversation for ideas. Brainstorming with the family can lead to ideas you would never have thought of before and it is a good bonding experience. It will also give you a chance to let everyone know which names you don’t particularly care for which is as important as the names you like.

Families that are religious may want to consult the bible, Koran or other holy book to find a baby boy name that has special significance to their faith. Names such as David, Paul, Mohammed and Jacob have been popular names for centuries due to their rich history in a religious context.

Don’t panic if the baby comes and you don’t have a name ready. He won’t know. And the first few days and weeks may give you a chance to observe his unique personality and a name will come from his own acts.