The 90's must've been the year my name blew up, because it's impossible for me to go anywhere without meeting another 'Katie'. And that isn't even counting other 'Kaitlyns', 'Katherines', 'Kates', etc., just the name Katie. Just as bell-bottoms, cornrows, and floppy hats have all had their peaks in popularity, so do names. Each year there's a new list of the "most popular baby names" released and if you're lucky (or not so lucky, depending on how you want to look at it), your name is on it.
This basically means that for the rest of your life in elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and work, you're going to meet a lot of people with the same name as you. This isn't a bad thing necessarily, just a fact of life. Sometimes, it even makes things more interesting. So here are some situations that have probably happened to you if you have a super common name.
1) There's always going to be two of you. Or three. Maybe even four.
From elementary school to high school, there was always at least two other Katies. In my 4th grade class alone we had "Katie B.", "Katie M. (myself)", and "Katie Z". This has carried with us into adulthood. Now there are too many Katies to count.
2) Attendance on the first day of class can be a gamble.
The teacher says your first name and you slowly raise your hand...to find she's talking about the other *Sarah* in the class. You put your hand down nonchalantly and make it look like you're fixing your hair.
3) You wrongly answer to your name being called.
You're out and about, alone, just browsing through Target and you hear someone shout your name. You turn around expecting to see perhaps a friend or family member, and your eyes meet with a stranger. They give you a strange look and wonder why you're looking at them as the "true" *John* appears. Oh.
4) Your name is always on those keychain and souvenir things.
You never have trouble finding your name on mugs or other trinkets. This doesn't mean it's always spelled correctly, but at least it's there.
5) You instantly bond with other people of the same name.
"Hi, I'm *insert your common name here*."
"No way, that's my name too!"
*instant best friends*
So while a lot of people may share the same name as you, that doesn't take away from each *insert your common name here*'s individuality or unique personality. After all, two is better than one.
