I was online earlier and told someone who I barely knew that my name is [name_m]Eric[/name_m]. It’d be hard for them to track me down with only my name and on such a protected site. It occurred to me that this would be hard to do with a rarer name like [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] or [name_f]Thomasina[/name_f].
What are some other advantages you can think of?
Pronunciation, spelling, and the knowledge of someone being male vs female (unless the name is truly unisex)
Not needing to explain your name to anyone
Ease of remembering the names other people who share your own name
Sharing a name with many other good people statistically 
Too true! The minute I started going by my nickname full-time, people have no trouble with being able to talk to me or knowing who I am. Before that I was only called by my last name, if I was talked to at all. In fact, I was called by my last name more often than my 2 brothers and 2 male cousins with the same last name combined… an uncommon thing to do for a woman here. Also, I’ve found most people are disappointed when I show up when they think it will be a man just by my name… even though my name is feminine and pronunciation is clearly feminine.
I think the best way to tell it (which probably dates me) is to use the example of Dr. [name_u]Quinn[/name_u], Medicine Woman, a TV show in the US years ago. It takes place in the Old [name_u]West[/name_u] beginning in 1867. The lead character arrives for her first job as a doctor in [name_u]Colorado[/name_u] Springs, [name_u]Colorado[/name_u]. She was hired because they thought she was a man named Dr. [name_u]Michael[/name_u] [name_u]Quinn[/name_u]. The town is shocked when a woman arrives. The telegraph operator, a man, left the “A” off of her name, claiming the middle initial was superfluous information (albeit in much simpler terms). Her name was Dr. [name_f]Michaela[/name_f] [name_u]Quinn[/name_u].
My twin brother has a very common name, while I have a less common one. I’d often get referred to as “J’s sister” because they could remember his name but not mine.
Or they would remember my name was “something with rose” but not quite what it was.
I love my name though.
I have to say I’m reading through these and I don’t actually think they’re true (I have a pretty common name) but…
The pronunciation one is normally true, my name’s a little harder, I’ve got a silent letter in my name. And my name is easier to remember, perhaps it’s just my name.
I also have a very common name and I agree that sometimes getting the spelling right will actually be harder because there might be 5 or more close variations.
[name_f]Katie[/name_f], Caty, [name_f]Katy[/name_f], [name_f]Kaydee[/name_f], [name_f]Kat[/name_f], [name_f]Kate[/name_f], [name_f]Kathy[/name_f], [name_f]Karen[/name_f]…
And Starbucks doesn’t get anyone’s name right no matter how common!
Ha! Yes! I guess no name lovers work at Starbucks! 
Usually–but not always, spelling or pronunciation is not an issue. Of course, there are some names where there are multiple versions that are all about equally common or popular, like [name_u]Haley[/name_u], [name_f]Hailey[/name_f], and [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] are all familiar and sound the same but the person will still have to explain how their name is spelled.
I do generally prefer common names and have one myself, but I think it would be annoying to have a common name and people still couldn’t spell it right. (I have [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] on my list but I do sometimes feel frustrated at the idea of having to always say [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] with a C.)
My first and last names are both super common for both boys and girls, so I could literally say anything. Unless you have utter specifics (like my school name) you won’t be able to find me. That’s pretty cool.
As a kid, you may actually be able to find things with your name on them in gift shops.
People don’t immediately tell you about the celebrity or other random person they heard of with your name that one time.
Your name doesn’t stand out. Admittedly, this could be good or bad.
You can have name friends. As much as we worry about our kids being Whatever A and Whatever B in their classes, I distinctly remember the [name_f]Erin[/name_f]/Aarons bonding over their shared name.
People are more familiar with your name, so they may actually be able to pronounce it. Spelling may be a different story due to the variation out there with some names.
I can use my name for on socials without worrying that people will “know” who I am. 9/10 people know how to spell my name (I get [name_f]Madelyn[/name_f] a lot, sometimes [name_f]Maddison[/name_f] or [name_f]Madyson[/name_f] as well not sure why). No one stumbles over the pronunciation.
I have a common name but with 2 different spelling options. I’ve worked in places with people who have my name, both with the same spelling and with the different spelling.
As much as I love my name, having it be common like this isn’t great. [name_f]My[/name_f] name is in my email handle and my coworkers still spell it wrong when they email me…
One time, my name was spelled different than my coworker. I’m white, she’s black, so we couldn’t go with the most obvious way to differentiate. But she’s really tall, so I became “short [name]” and she became “tall [name]” … Except I’m not short at all 
I hated it. I wanted her to be “[name] with one L” and me to be “[name] with two Ls” but it never stuck 
Also, my name is part of a song, it’s actually why my parents chose the name. But people sing it to me… For no reason. It’s incredibly uncomfortable. I love to just have a conversation about the song or the band tho! It’s a great icebreaker. But random serenades aren’t my favorite.
Sorry, I’m not listing any advantages of this 
Ok, I got one! [name_f]My[/name_f] name has never been mispronounced at graduation!
I have a very short, very common name and the only advantages it’s given me are: Everyone knows how to spell it, everybody can remember it easily, basically what everybody else has said.
I find all these responses funny because my name was #32 when I was born and none of them ring true for me
I’ve never found my name on a keychain, I’ve had to explain the spelling and pronunciation so often that I used to joke I wanted a tshirt that explained it, and at Starbucks it’s almost more complicated when I give my name because I get [name_f]Kaylee[/name_f], [name_f]Hailey[/name_f], [name_u]Bailey[/name_u], [name_u]Holly[/name_u] etc.
I’m mostly just jealously reading as a commonly named person who didn’t get the perks of having a common name because for some reason society chose the less popular spelling at the time and ran with it 
I get this. [name_f]My[/name_f] pronunciation is common, but the spelling isn’t. Therefore, if people only heard the name, they got it. If they tried to read it, they defaulted to my last name. [name_f]My[/name_f] mom had to request the personalization booths and stores at the mall to make up items for me with my spelling on it just to be able to have something. 
If its common it may have a very long and established history behind it!
Its fun to research your name and look into namesakes, associations, and meanings.
One famous person with the name is less likely to define it (for better or worse).
Someone sharing your name and rising to stardom will likely not be the only association people have with the name. Be it a musician, a beloved professional athlete, or a controversial politician. Hurricanes are given human names. A storm named [name_u]Maria[/name_u] or Andrew is less likely to permanently mar the perception of the name compared to [name_f]Irma[/name_f] or [name_f]Katrina[/name_f].
Your name doesn’t speak for you.