Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is Imogen that bad?

158 replies

baitandtackle · 22/08/2020 23:25

I think Imogen is a beautiful name and it's top of the list if we have a girl (i'm due in March). But why do so many dislike it? It's making me want to take it off the list!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
WildCherryBlossom · 23/08/2020 02:36

I l

Flipflopsaga · 23/08/2020 02:09

It is a lovely name! You must stop worrying about what people think. I made the mistake of asking family members what they thought of my name choice for our child, before they were born and received some negative responses. Considered all and disregarded all and LOVE my child’s name! Don’t be bullied into changing a name you love is my advice! My child suits their name perfectly.

Balloonbaboon · 23/08/2020 02:03

I have an Imogen. We use a soft g when we call her that, which is rarely. Hadn't occurred to me that anyone wouldn't. Short sighted! I had never known anyone called Imogen.

Three syllable names wear well on children and adults. People don't know quite what to make of it which is a plus in my view. I thought she could own it for herself. Its hard to be sure if it's traditional or odd, posh or trendy, ungainly or graceful.

She was Ima for years and now she has been Jim for years.

Her little brother can't say Imogen. He had a go and managed M&M and went back to Jim. She is beautiful and soulful and she's called Jim. It doesn't matter what you call them, the siblings wreck it.

Crystal87 · 23/08/2020 02:00

It's a nice name. I don't love it but don't dislike it either.

SE13Mummy · 23/08/2020 01:37

Not at all! It's a lovely, sensible, not overly used and unfrilly name. I like that it has a definite end sound (not ee or uh) and that it doesn't end with a 'bell' of some sort. I only know a couple of Imogens and both are in their twenties. Maybe it's not massively popular in the state schools of SE London?

Having different options for nicknames is another thing I like about Imogen. The one I know best often goes by Mo but Immy and Jen/Jenny work too. I'd group it with names such as Susan, Florence, Edith, Harriet, Rosalind and Alice.

AlwaysLatte · 23/08/2020 01:33

I love it, it's a really classic name and Immy is a lovely derivative. It was high on our list if we'd had a girl. I didn't realise it was unpopular!

MrsEricBana · 23/08/2020 01:30

Gosh I've near heard any bad connotations related to Imogen. I know two, one is very much an Imogen and the other definitely Immy. Both very clever and high achieving. It's a strong, smart but not pretentious name in my opinion.

Downunderduchess · 23/08/2020 01:22

I like it. Lovely name for both a little girl and an adult woman.

ToyKitchenSink · 23/08/2020 01:08

It's not a posh name - just normal. But to me it sounds ungainly and I dislike the nicknames. I know one Imogen toddler, who's beautiful, and the class list for my eldest DD features two Imogens in a class of 15 girls. Make of that as you will!

Inkpaperstars · 23/08/2020 01:07

I like it. Maybe because there was a very pretty talented Imogen in my ballet class when I was little. I think the sound is pretty too.

SenorPeabodyEsq · 23/08/2020 01:00

It's a popular name in my world. I don't think of it as posh, but I personally don't like it. There's something sort of smarmy about how it looks and sounds.

Nothing objectively wrong with the name though!

Grrretel · 23/08/2020 00:58

10-15 years ago it was very posh in an Ottilie kind of way, but it has become much more common in line with Alice these days.

TinselTortoise · 23/08/2020 00:57

Imogen is a perfectly normal name. If you like it, don't be put off by other people.

Crylittlesister · 23/08/2020 00:56

Imogen is fine. It's an Alice, Sophie, Rebecca name. Normal. I don't love it myself, I'm the queen of the nickname and none appeal to me. But in itself, it's fine and if you like it, use it.
FWIW I called mine a name that as a teacher, I'd never taught. Outside the top 50. Within 3 years it was top 5. My dd's name is now as overly heard as Macdonald's or Ford. Call yours whatever you want, there will always be something!!

ottermadness · 23/08/2020 00:46

It’s nice.

BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs · 23/08/2020 00:28

I've never realised it was so polarising! I really like it.

PaquitaVariation · 23/08/2020 00:27

I love it, always have. Doesn’t go with our surname or we would have used it. It’s quite popular in the 11-15 age range at the moment where we are.

IWantAPetUnicorn · 23/08/2020 00:23

I like it!

DramaAlpaca · 23/08/2020 00:19

I think it's great. It's unfrilly but still soft and feminine. I really like it.

housemdwaswrong · 23/08/2020 00:11

I like it. Immy or Jen for friends or when little, and Imogen sounds strong and feminine for an adult.

Names are so personal, if you like it that's all that counts.

StuntPond · 22/08/2020 23:44

I like it and I’m incredibly fussy.

You’re not going to get universal approval whether you call her Olivia or Speranza-Mae, you know, OP.

Whatthebloodyell · 22/08/2020 23:43

I like it. It is a bit of a ‘head girl’ name, but nothing wrong with that.

Lalapurple · 22/08/2020 23:41

I don't think I would choose it, but think it's ok. Use it if you like it best

Prettybluepigeons · 22/08/2020 23:41

It's a lovely name!

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 22/08/2020 23:39

Imogen / Immy is nice it's not particularly popular or fashionable like Ellie-Mae (I have a class with 8 variations of Something - Mae). I see it as a solid, classic name along with Emma, Laura, Sophie and Charlotte.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread