We whispered Imogen down the alley, a name transformed by history and Shakespeare, too.
Thanks to Natalie for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day.
Imogen: Literary Maiden
The name likely comes from the Gaelic word inghean – maiden. First spelled Innogen – with a double ‘n’ rather than an ‘m’ – it may have changed accidentally.
Legend tells of King Cunobelinus, a ruler of pre-Roman Britain, and his daughter, Innogen. She wants to marry for love, but it’s necessary that she marry to secure the kingdom. Heartache follows, and lots of skullduggery, but ultimately all ends well.
The Bard borrowed the figures for his play, Cymbeline, first performed around 1611.
It’s thought that Shakespeare used the Innogen spelling for the British princess. A typo transformed the name, as his play was copied and re-copied. Not only was the ‘nn’ spelling found in source documents used by the Bard, but some accounts confirm that early performances gave the character’s name as Innogen.
The character is admirable. She remains loyal to her estranged love, even when she suffers mightily. But Cymbeline is not among the most favored or widely-performed plays today, so fewer people recognize the character than, say, Beatrice or Juliet.
Imogen: US versus UK
Between British history and the name’s literary roots, parents have plenty of ways to discover this name.
In the UK, Imogen routinely ranks in the Top 100, and has for nearly two decades. It’s a little like Natalie or Samantha in the US – we’re just used to hearing it as a given name.
But in the US? The name has never cracked the Top 1000.
Imogen: Imogene
Add an ‘e’ to the end, and this name actually had a good run in the US. Imogene peaked in the 1920s, reaching the Top 200 for a handful of years.
So while the -jen ending has never caught on, the -jean sound had a good run.
There have been -jeans in:
- John Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga.
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, where Imogene Herdman is the bossy big sister who plays Mary.
- Fannie Flagg nicknamed her Imogene “Idgie” in Fried Green Tomatoes.
The late Imogene Coca’s comedy career spanned many years. You might know her as Aunt Edna in the original 1983 National Lampoon’s Vacation.
Now there’s also Midge’s BFF on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
But in recent years, Imogen has seen a modest uptick. Julia Stiles wore the name in 2000’s Down to You. Real-world Imogens, like singer Heap and actor Poots, raise the name’s profile, too.
Imogen: By the Numbers
As recently as 2000, the name was downright obscure in the US – just 18 newborn girls received the name that year. By 2012, that number was up to 111 girls. And in 2017? There were 169 new babies with the name.
It’s nickname-rich, with short forms like Immy, Gen, Gigi, and Moe all possible. But no nickname is required, either.
If you like your girl names vaguely British, steeped in history, and relatively obscure? Imogen is one to consider.
First published on June 28, 2008, this post was revised substantially and re-posted on February 10, 2014, and again on March 6, 2019.
Loved this post! I’ve looked forward to it since you mentioned in the newsletter you were revisiting Imogen. I’m lucky, I’ve always loved my name and never had a negative experience because of it. Idgie’s my favourite nickname, I also like Immy, Imo and Imma. Thank you so much Abby, and Natalie for suggesting Imogen.
I’m so glad to hear this! We named our daughter Imogen last year. She’s 9 months now, and we call her Idge or Idgie as her family nickname. We get lots of compliments on her name, and it’s nice to hear from someone older who loves it.
Imogene Herdman rather ruined the name and all its variations for me . . .
In 2007 I scoured every baby name list to find a unique classic name for my daughter. My ex and I fought over Imogene vs Imogen. He’s British and argued that the extra e is extraneous. I thought that the extra e is extra special and Imogene is an American, not the name of some uptight rich English prep school girl.
I also loved that gene is in Imogene. Rather than dorky or stuffy, I see gene as futuristic, artistic and intelligent. Because the name Imogene is old-fashioned, peaking in the 1920s, I believe a lot of people associate Imogene as old-lady like. I, however, associated almost every popular modern name in 2007, such as Savannah, Madison, Kayla with “pornography artists” lol.
Imogene is 8 now and has discovered that her name is not preprinted on any mug or keychain. I suppose she’ll get her wish in a few years as Imogen has achieved popularity. She’ll need to keep a sharpie handy for that extra e. She’s rocking Brooklyn, NY with her “old lady name”
I think this name might make our list, now that I have to come up with a real list of names I’d *really* use for a not-so-hypothetical child. 🙂
My Australian son-in-law suggested Imogen when my daughter was pregnant with their second child 7 years ago. (I had seen the name on lists of top names in the UK, but my only US reference for it was comic actress Imogene Coca.) My daughter didn’t like the name at all, and they named their daughter, coincidentally, another Shakespearean name, Miranda “Mira”. It suits her perfectly. Since that time I’ve been seeing Imogen on baby name blogs, but have yet to meet one. I find the name interesting and delightfully British, but I think it will be awhile, at least, before Imogen becomes known in the U. S.
Well obviously I love the name Imogen. While still an uncommon name where we live in the US, there is one other girl in her daycare with the same name. I actually hope it does become a bit more popular, so that people will stop pronouncing it Imogene, which I really don’t think is as pretty, and to me is a different name. Yes, same origins, but it is spelled and pronounced differently- so not the same IMO.
Love Imogen, can’s stand Imogene (don’t like Eugene either!).
Would love to see twin girls named Imogen and Isla!
I used to love this name, until a high school bully totally ruined it for me 🙁 However, I was combing the family tree one day and came across Imogene. I’m wondering if it’s different enough for me to put it back on my list, and I think it is.
Also – I think Imogen must be a lot more popular here in Australia! I can think of three that I know off the top of my head.
My daughter is called Imogen and it’s not at all unusual here in Australia, or in my husband’s native UK, but my family in the states thought it was the strangest name… I didn’t realise just how disparate the rankings were until I looked & didn’t see her in the top 1000 at all! I was surprised that a name that is top twenty in Britain and Aus would be completely unheard of in America.
I love the name Imogen – neat, trim, lots of consonants. There’s a girl at my daughter’s school called Imogen. She would have been born in 2001. I think her parents may be English, which might explain the choice. It was the first time I’d heard the name and I’ve liked it ever since.
I want to like Imogen, but my lazy tongue pronounces it pretty much like imagine, so it doesn’t sound quite right when I say it. Would love to hear it used more often though!
I’m so glad you wrote about this name! It’s on my short(ish) list of girl names in the event that our next baby is a girl, and I’m curious as to what your thoughts are re: the following rationale:
My grandmother’s name is Irma Jean. It’s a terrible, awful name that – unlike so many other old-timey names – is probably never going to come back into style. Grandma typically goes by the full Irma Jean – emphasis on the first syllable. It sounds an awful lot like Imogen when pronounced, which got me thinking that perhaps we could use Imogen to honor her, rather than Irma Jean. Thoughts? Is it too much of a departure from her actual name?
I think it’s a great idea!
I used to love this name, until a high school bully with the name totally ruined it for me 🙁
I found Imogene on the family tree recently though, and I’m wondering if it’s just different enough to pop back on the list!
I think Imogen must be more popular here in Australia than the US: I know three Imogens off the top of my head.
Yes. Genetics or coincidence ?
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?
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!
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.
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!
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!
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. 😉
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?
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.