Baby Boy Names

A baby brings joy and happiness. It also carries forward a bit of you. Perhaps the most important function a parent undertakes after the birth of a boy is to select a name for him. Most parents would like the name to be special, and mean something to their son when he grows up.

A son for many holds a special place. Since ancient times a son is seen to be the "one to carry on the family." Naming a son can be quite emotional and often family traditions come into play--in many families sons carry into the next generation the family name, which may be centuries old.

Be practical and take up the task like modern-day parents. Buy a beautiful inspiring notebook and write down your thoughts. Would I like my son to carry forward a tradition or heritage? Would I like him to be proud of his roots? Or shall we strike out and name him something different? Weigh the pros and cons of all these options.

Call over the family or clan for an impromptu get-together and make the "name choosing" a collective effort. Glance into family legends and history. Study the family tree and how different generations were named. Find out if anyone in the family was famous or illustrious, like a poet, a painter, or writer. Is there an explorer or adventurer hidden among your ancestors? Discover a pioneer who may have sailed the ocean to bring his family to a new land. Make a list of such possibilities.