Comments on: Name of the Day: Imogen

By: Baby Name of the Day: Octavia | Appellation Mountain

Baby Name of the Day: Octavia | Appellation Mountain — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:53:16 +0000

[...] Given the titles of some of her other works from the late 70s – Emily, Bella, Harriet, Imogen and Prudence – Cooper’s got a knack for [...]

By: Fetching Names: The Hermiones, Part I | Appellation Mountain

Fetching Names: The Hermiones, Part I | Appellation Mountain — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:04:01 +0000

[...] Imogen – Shakespeare’s typo, this name is popular in the UK and Australia, but is seldom-heard in the US. She’s strong, distinctive, and strikes a balance between the familiar and the unexpected. American parents might resist Imogen because Imogene still feels fusty, thanks to the legendary Imogene Coca. But I think even Imogene might be just a few years away from feeling fresh again. [...]

By: Baby Name of the Day: Arabella | Appellation Mountain

Baby Name of the Day: Arabella | Appellation Mountain — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 10:20:13 +0000

[...] strike. Some say the details of her attempted flight inspired Shakespeare’s character Imogen – like the fictional character, Arbella dressed as a [...]

By: Baby Name of the Day: Cymbeline | Appellation Mountain

Baby Name of the Day: Cymbeline | Appellation Mountain — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 07:03:27 +0000

[...] the title of the play, Cymbeline is more about the princess Imogen. It is the question of her marriage, which carries with it the inheritance of Cymbeline’s [...]

By: Baby Name of the Day: Elsinore « Appellation Mountain

Baby Name of the Day: Elsinore « Appellation Mountain — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:18:18 +0000

[...] that are sensible, feminine, and yet quite tailored. Think of Evelyn and Caroline, or the British Imogen. They are lady-like names, with a certain backbone. Elsinore may be truly unusual, but she fits [...]

By: Carl Mitchell

Carl Mitchell — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:39:31 +0000

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?

By: JNE

JNE — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:03:53 +0000

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!

By: Nessa

Nessa — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:00:01 +0000

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.

By: Katharine

Katharine — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:19:15 +0000

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!

By: Katharine

Katharine — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:06:53 +0000

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!