Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman Welcome Baby Boy

Feb. 14, 2014 — -- It's official, Simon Cowell is a father!

The former "American Idol" and "X Factor" judge welcomed a baby boy with girlfriend Lauren Silverman on Friday in New York.

VIDEO: Simon Cowell Shares Baby Photos

After weeks of speculation that he and Silverman were expecting, Cowell revealed in August that he in fact was going to be a father.

"I'm proud to be a dad," Cowell told the BBC. "Things are changing in my life right now, for the better."

BLOG: Who Does Simon Cowell Plan to Name His Son After?

A few weeks later, Cowell added that the baby would be a boy. Cowell told "Extra!" he had a few choices when it came to names.

"My number one choice is Simon, 'cause I like the name," he said in November of naming the baby after himself.

But if Cowell, 54, doesn't name his son after himself, his second choice is after his father.

"His birthday is going to be very close to my dad's birthday," he said. "So, I think second choice would be Eric."

Related: Simon Cowell on Pregnancy Flap: 'People's Feelings Involved'

News broke in July of the pregnancy, while Silverman was still married to real estate mogul Andrew Silverman. They have since divorced.

This will be Silverman's second child. She has a 7-year-old son with her ex-husband.