Today it is not so unusual to come across uncommon baby names, and it seems that some people put a great deal of effort into making sure that their child's name certainly stands apart from the crowd.
Parents in many cultures are now mixing and matching more traditional names with newer, less conventional ones to create one-of-a-kind names for their babies.
Others look for names that are rather simple, but may not have traditionally been used as baby names.
Some of the more unusual baby names currently in vogue are Sky, Rain, Apple and Ocean.
There are even children proudly dubbed Wave and Planet.
Uncommon baby names have also been created by the selection of unique choices of letters to make up the name.
Other unusual names originated from actual mistakes made in recording a baby's name, such as with the name Oprah, which in the case of Ms.
Winfrey was meant to be Ohpar.
Other names for babies are spelled in highly unusual ways in order to set them apart.
The problem with unusual spellings is that such circumstances can bring problems to a child later on, especially when they start school.
For instance there is the circumstance of a child being named Ayker (and usually assumed to be pronounced "A Ker"), and the parents insisting that the child's name be pronounced "EEkay".
If you choose to use your own individually created spelling and pronunciation rules in naming your baby, you should be prepared for the fact that many people may have trouble pronouncing or spelling your child's name correctly.
Hollywood is often at the forefront of unique baby naming.
You will always find children who are the namesakes of movie stars with unusual names.
Names also are taken from characters in movies, television and shows.
A possible concern with many of these types of baby names is that it may date your child into a particular era, later falling from "fashion", and in the future people may not understand or appreciate the reasoning behind the uncommon name.
Not many children today are being christened "Farrah" for instance, but in the late 70s and early 80s it was a big hit.
Choosing from uncommon baby names to find a suitable name for your child can either be a blessing or a curse.
It's beneficial to remember that while an unusual name may certainly distinguish your child and provide them a strong sense of individuality, nonconformity may sometimes place obstacles in their path as he/she matures.
So, choose thoughtfully and wisely to select the best name for your baby, and give him/her a gift they'll be certain to treasure for a lifetime.