It's also common in some cultures for infants to be named in honor of ancestors (typically grandparents) or as part of a multi-generational naming tradition. This can result in embarrassment as names become unfashionable or strongly associated with a certain gender over time (e.g., Meredith, Hillary, Ashley).
*wibbles* Unfashionable or strongly associated with a certain gender over time? ;_;
...Should I be nervous about my name being on there? Or is it that these WERE male names and BECAME female names and are so culturally thought of as female these days that it's not a big deal?
I mean, I do remember that one rather creepy counselor from my elementary school days in YMCA; his last name was "Meredith," and he said something like "Hey, we should get married: then you'd be Meredith Meredith!" and even at age 7 or 8 or whatever, I was VERY creeped out.
Well, in any case, I love my name. It took a while, but I do.