Names like Elizabeth, James, Margaret and William appeal to many people. Why? They're familiar and respectable. They're easy to pronounce and spell. They've been in use for centuries -- literally -- and can therefore be passed down from one generation to the next without sounding dated.

Unusual names, on the other hand, aren't as universally loved. They aren't as simple and straightforward as traditional names, and they can often bring unwanted attention to a child.

This explains why many parents prefer common baby names to uncommon ones: these parents would rather err on the side of safety. They figure that an odd or unique name could ultimately be a disadvantage or a source of embarrassment for their child, so why not stick with a name that's tried-and-true?

What these parents may not realize, though, is that common names have their weaknesses as well. Most classic names, for instance, are so incredibly ordinary that they become forgettable -- even interchangeable. ("Was that woman named Anna or Emma? Was her husband Mark or Mike? I can't remember...")

My own name is a good example of this. 'Nancy' is quite common; I seem to meet other Nancys just about everywhere I go. My name isn't particularly snazzy, and it doesn't come with too many interesting nicknames or associations. The only real advantage I can think of to having my name is that 'Nancy' is easy to both say and spell.

Unfortunately, my surname is moderately common as well -- and when you pair a common first name with a somewhat common last name, you start meeting people who have the exact same name as you. This has happened to me several times, and I'm sure it happens even more frequently to people with names like Brian Smith and Julie Jones.

My name isn't awful, but I often catch myself wishing I had a more memorable one -- something with more zip to it. And when I talk to other plainly named people, I find many of them are similarly dissatisfied.

My point here is that common names have definite drawbacks. In many cases, these 'safe' choices end up being too safe and causing resentment (especially when they're paired with equally common surnames).

There are many factors to consider when you choose a baby name, of course. But if your main concern is giving your child a name he or she won't be forced to share with thousands of other people, you should forget the classics (Charles, Katherine, Sarah) and focus instead on names that are unique (Chauncey, Katinka, Sorcha).