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Baby names

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Original poster

Nickname for Imogen

66 replies

RunningOnHope · 26/07/2024 18:35

I suggested Imogen for a girl the other day and DP said with a smile "we could call her Midge for short" - and I genuinely love it!

Not sure if just mad baby brain though...?!

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RedOnyx · 27/07/2024 10:37

In the Judy Blume book Iggie's House the "Iggie" in question was Imogen.

Westfacing · 27/07/2024 09:48

I met a 90-something Imogen known as Moggie since schooldays - presumably nickname given by schoolfriends rather than parents!

RaraRachael · 27/07/2024 09:45

If you're in Scotland, where there are plenty of them, the insects are usually called midgies - in my experience anyway.

As an aside, I once saw the name spelled Imogene and thought it was
im-og-en-ey sort of to rhyme with mahogany IYSWIM

MossGrowsFat · 27/07/2024 09:15

TheSecondMrsTanqueray · 27/07/2024 08:09

So was Midge Ure's real name Jim?

James.

@RobertSalamander really? Well every day is a school day.

Cheepcheepcheep · 27/07/2024 08:12

I know an Imogen, mid-20s, who is pretty much exclusively Midge as far as I know. I wouldn’t have thought I liked it before I met her but it really grew on me!

Oneearringlost · 27/07/2024 08:12

RunningOnHope · 26/07/2024 18:35

I suggested Imogen for a girl the other day and DP said with a smile "we could call her Midge for short" - and I genuinely love it!

Not sure if just mad baby brain though...?!

My daughter is Imogen.
She's 27 now and went through a patch at school when she was, I suppose, about 8-13 of people calling her Immie.
I didn't mind, was entirely resigned to it but it didn't stick, she is totally Imogen now.
Immie, to my mind has a bit of a pinched, purse lipped sound to it, whereas Imogen has a rounded, plump cadence.
But I'm not a fan of "y" and "ie" ending names.
OP, I think "Midge" is lovely, actually. Go for Imogen, as a previous poster said, whose daughter was also called Imogen, it's a beautiful name, not too many of them, but classic and recognised.

Meem321 · 27/07/2024 08:11

Imy
Imo
Midge
Mog
All nicknames our Imogen has been called

skinnyoptionsonly · 27/07/2024 08:10

Immy is so twee though

Gen would be preferable but still not great

TheSecondMrsTanqueray · 27/07/2024 08:09

So was Midge Ure's real name Jim?

BakewellGin1 · 27/07/2024 07:59

I would just call her by her name but that's just me. I didn't opt in for the cutesy thing most people seem to like and gave both children short names which they get called in full. Seems pointless to pick a nice name then call them by (sometimes tidiculous) adaption of it

HappyToSmile · 27/07/2024 07:58

I have an imogen and some of her friends call her Immie which she's not keen on, she prefers Immo, but some of these alternatives are great!

JohnWickAteMyHamster · 27/07/2024 07:45

I grew up being called Midge as a nickname by the bullies at my school because I was so short. I didn't care, I've always liked being short so the joke was on them, but it has negative connotations for me 😞

RobertSalamander · 27/07/2024 07:38

MossGrowsFat · 27/07/2024 06:23

How is everyone pronouncing Midge

Like Midge Ure- 80s popstar who used it as a phonetic reversal for Jim

Or like the mosquito with an emphasis on the e?

Not that it matters I'm just interested.

As for the obsession with shortenings/NN this is a baby name section. Of course people chat on here about NN and names in a way they wouldn't in real life.

The mosquito is pronounced the same as Midge Ure. ‘Midgie’ pronunciation is just people being cute.

RedOnyx · 27/07/2024 07:23

I once read a book with a Midge whose full name was Margaret. I don't see why it couldn't be short for Imogen though.

MossGrowsFat · 27/07/2024 06:23

How is everyone pronouncing Midge

Like Midge Ure- 80s popstar who used it as a phonetic reversal for Jim

Or like the mosquito with an emphasis on the e?

Not that it matters I'm just interested.

As for the obsession with shortenings/NN this is a baby name section. Of course people chat on here about NN and names in a way they wouldn't in real life.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 27/07/2024 06:09

Immie.
Idgy.
Geni.
Mimi

MirandaBlu · 27/07/2024 05:21

The one I know is Imo for short but would introduce herself as Imogen, mostly, at least as an adult. And she was also called Momo as a child/among family due to a slightly older sibling not being able to say Imogen/Imo. Surprised no one has suggested Moggie!

TheSecondMrsTanqueray · 27/07/2024 04:47

Why do women need a cutesy nickname for their offspring? I have a 3 syllable first name and no one has ever felt the need to shorten it.

JimNast · 26/07/2024 21:59

Or it's so contrived that the 'nn' has to be explained

blondieminx · 26/07/2024 21:53

Why would you shorten your daughter’s name to a name for an insect ?

Immy is cute for toddlers, less so as they get older I think.

blink3times · 26/07/2024 21:53

I call our Imogen, Iggy or sometimes Jim. Her friends mostly Immy. Never heard of Midge.

RaraRachael · 26/07/2024 21:45

Overtheatlantic · 26/07/2024 21:42

Can’t you just call her Imogen? Why do all names have to be shortened?

It's compulsory on MN - And most of the time it isn't a nickname, it's a shortened form.

otravezempezamos · 26/07/2024 21:44

Imogen is great, Midge is hilarious. can’t stand Immy.

Overtheatlantic · 26/07/2024 21:42

Can’t you just call her Imogen? Why do all names have to be shortened?

merryhouse · 26/07/2024 21:38

One of my sister's classmates (born 1972) was called Midge. IIRC her actual name was Rachel Grin