So how did you/do you find your names?

[cyteen]

We're halfway through this pregnancy and so have another 18 weeks or so (hopefully!) to come up with some boys' names. Typically, we had loads of girl names but couldn't think of any for boys. I'm really looking forward to the whole process of making shortlists and arguing with each other about it (please don't redirect me to this post in 4 months' time when I am tearing my hair out in rage and threatening all sorts because DP won't agree to my PERFECT PERFECT CHOICE ).

My question is, where do you all take inspiration from? Do you use baby name books/websites? Family names? Suggestions from friends? Do you keep an ear out and note down names you hear out and about or on tv? Have you had your names picked out since you were a child? Is the meaning important? Do you have beliefs which influence your name choice?

We've got loads of people lending us name books, which is cool, but I'll be interested to hear other people's methods

TIA

Plus he's gorgeous!

We had a fairly good idea of the kind of names we wanted from the beginning and were fortunate that we have similar tastes.
We didn't want anything too popular; anything that was the same as anyone we knew; anything that was too 'out there' or anything that was clearly in a different language - eg Welsh or Irish as we aren't Welsh or Irish iyswim.
That limited us somewhat. Also, with me being a teacher, I ruled quite a few names out straight away!
Then we went through a name book, name by name, and chose any we liked and slowly whittled it down to a choice of 2 for a girl and 2 for a boy.
Then, 2 days before DD was born, we changed our minds completely!
As it is, DD's name means 'girl from the farm' and that is exactly what she is! (DH is a herdsman)

I tried name web sites but was far too easily distracted by the really bad names rather than looking for anything I could actually use (bump was referred to as Shiraz after a particularly fruitful session on the hideous name sites).

Went to Bangkok when I'd just found out I was pregnant, and in the hotel room there was a botanical drawing of an iris. Iris got put on the list and in the end it was the one we both agreed on. It was my third choice but husband wouldn't budge on the other two.