Name of the Day: Imogen
Funny how a typo can lead to a great name, including today’s choice: Imogen. Thanks to Natalie for suggesting this appealing moniker.
Back when William Shakespeare penned Cymbeline, it is believed he intended to name the King’s daughter Innogen. This seems reasonable; the character of Cymbeline the king was clearly based on the historical figure Cunobelinus, who ruled Celtic Britain before the Romans arrived. Innogen was a legendary figure from the same era whose name translates to maiden. Indeed, Shakespearean scholars have noted that Innogen appeared in source documents known to be referenced by the Bard, and observer accounts confirm that the character was called Innogen in early performances.
No matter. At some point, the “nn” was misprinted “m,” and the changed form has endured.
In fact, the name twisted a bit further from Imogen to Imogene. Without the final e, we pronounce the name IM oh jen. Tack it on, and the name becomes IM oh jeen. In the US, Imogene ranked in the Top 1000 every year from 1885 to 1955, enjoying a high of popularity in the 1920s.
Considering that other fashionable names from that era include Mildred, Gertrude and Thelma, it’s easy to assign Imogene to the naming graveyard. But plenty of other throwback choices from the 1920s are hot again – Ruby, Stella, Violet, Hazel and Josephine all ranked in the Top 100 in the 1920s, too.
Like many promising appellations, Imogen was first revived on the other side of the Atlantic. As of 2007, Imogen was the 34th most popular name in the UK Top 100, up from #60 in 2003. You’ll also find plenty of Imogens in Australia. In the US, however, Imogen has never cracked the Top 1000.
Literary characters have worn both Imogene and Imogen. After Shakespeare, we find Imogene in John Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga. Imogene Herdman is the bossy big sister who plays Mary in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. And Fannie Flagg nicknamed her Imogene “Idgie” in Fried Green Tomatoes. Mary Stuart Masterson played Idgie in the movie version. Speaking of movies, one of the few current fictional bearers of Imogen was the character played by Julia Stiles in the 2000 film Down to You, which also featured a female character called Cyrus.
In real life, comedienne Imogene Coca is perhaps the most familiar Imogene. Late in her career, she played Aunt Edna in National Lampoon’s Vacation. In the 1950s, she co-starred on the very popular Your Show of Shows and hosted her own television series, too.
Today, Imogene feels fusty and dusty, dated and just plain awkward on a newborn baby girl. But Imogen is worn by some quite appealing figures, and sounds just right on a daughter. There’s classical pianist Imogen Cooper; writer Imogen Edward-Jones and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Imogen Heap. Earlier in the century, the name was worn by a renowned photographer and a sculptor, too.
As the statistics suggest, most Imogens have been English, and so the name has a certain British rose appeal. Her many nickname options are a bonus – from the comic Idgie and Mo to the sophisticated Immy and Gen.
We know a newborn Imogen and her name has received top marks from nearly everyone who hears it. (Though they sometimes wonder if the parents have spent time overseas. They haven’t.) If you’re looking for something that feels a bit offbeat but is actually quite literary and trendy elsewhere in the world, American parents are well advised to consider the charming Imogen.
If you’re in the UK … sorry, this one is already firmly established as a top pick. Gertrude and Mildred, however, are still available.
Filed under: Literary Babes, Names for Girls, Names of the Day | 8 Comments
Tags: Imogen, Imogene, Innogen
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Interesting about Innogen in Cymbeline . . . I didn’t know that! I like Imogen but actually prefer Imogene. Imogene seems a little more grounded and less fluffy to me. Either name is totally refreshing and cool.
Funny, Hippy, Imogene gives me the frilly vibe, Imogen is spare and crisp.
Overall, Innogen appeals to me most, Shakespeare’s writings figure laregely in my own histiry (“The Shakespeare Game” makes my family smile). Something about the ‘nn’ , I think. Neither name is unappealling, in fact, I’d be happy to meet an Imogen/Imogene/Innogen! Absolutely lovely. Would she make a good “sister” for a Josephine, you think?
I agree with you, Lola – I find Innogen really appealing. And I must say, I’m a little in love with Gertrude and all the -trude names, too.
I agree, Imogen sounds like such a cool, crisp, stylish – even timeless little number. it’s more popular in the UK than elsewhere but that hasn’t lessened any of it’s appeal. Unfortunately though, (just like the name Esme) Imogen falls into the category of names that I would ‘love to love’ but somehow just can’t quite get to grips with…
I’m working on myself though!
Actually – just thought: Imogen and Esme sound like a sibling set don’t they?! Lets say Imogen Kate and Esme Alice, I can just picture it!
That’s soo interesting about Innogen in Cymbeline! I do prefer Imogen though, quite lovely. I really like Imogen, and I’ve been trying to figure out a way to get Gemma as nickname, I think this could be feasible.
My daughter is Imogen. In the States (I live in the south) there is little recognition of the name and some apparent confusion. I have run into several people who believe, despite what they’ve heard from my lips, that the name is Imogene, which is more recognizable in the States. It appears we may have many years of repeating her name and spelling her name ahead of us. Yes, I’ve gotten compliments on her name, but more often it’s, “that’s different” or “how interesting.” I did have one husband of a coworker ask if I’d googled her name because he felt sure it was a biotech company. Not sure if he thought he was funny.
The origin of the name, the “typo,” is the same as I’d read prior to bestowing the name on my first-born. But there’s an interesting discussion on this topic at mrshakespeare.typepad.com/mrshakespeare/2008/03/imogen-or-innog.html – a blog for Shakespeare editor types. It is posited that, perhaps, the actual, inteded name was Imogen with the “m.”
Further, for those who prefer the Innogen, you may encounter the genetics comment more frequently, because InnoGen is, in fact “the ESRC Centre for Social and Economic Research on Innovation in Genomics” in the UK found at http://www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/innogen/.
Of course, I think there is no better name on earth for a little girl, or my baby wouldn’t be called Imogen, but if you’re planning on using the name, it is a good idea to consider all the odd ball comments and the potential for confusion you’ll have in the States.
I hope you will forgive me the long and indulgent comment.
Thanks for the post and it’s always fun to hear about another little Imogen, since it is a rarity!
Has anyone noticed that the actress playing Aunt Imogene in the recent Alice In Wonderland movie (Frances de la Tour) looks a lot like Imogene Coca?