Why do people think Imogen is over used?

We know a baby Imogen (6 months) whose nn is Impy. Love it!

My daughter is an Imogen (just turned 2). I haven't yet met another of similar age but assume there must be some owing to the stats. We call her Immy (although her Great-Gran insists on Imogen as she says it is too elegant to be shortened). Her middle name is Sophia, though, so if she does decide she dislikes it at any point, she has that option.

It's a classic name that has been used for centuries. Even if it does have a "population explosion" there are still not likely to be more than a couple in any given primary school!

14 years ago we gave our dd a name that we thought charming and original, and which raised many eyebrows. The name? Grace!

50 years ago my mother was persuaded against using her absolute favourite name for me because it was too old lady-ish and everyone would tease me. The name? Emily!

If it's a rea, name and not a random collection of letters, or the name of a geographical feature, fruit or household object, and providing you don't find yourself thinking, even for a second "Am I brave enough to use this name?" then go for it. It doesn't matter if there are more than one in the school, it really, really doesn't.

Also, on the "over used" thing.

Not sure if any of you have played the "How original were your parents?" game on Facebook. It works out how original your name was when you were named it. Well, afraid to say my parents got an E. However, whilst no-one has ever said "oo, how unusual" when I've told them my name, it's not like every other person has the same name as me. Even at school, in a year of 60 there were only 2 of us with my name. By contrast, there were 5 Emma's but Emma was apparently actually less common than my name in 1975. So, it seems that the "popular names" list can be misleading, probably sue to social and regional variations.

Also, I think name commonness really stands out at nursery/school, because it's obvious which names were popular in a given year, but once you get into real life, this impact gets massively diluted as you work/ hang out with people from a much wider age range.

I suppose what I'm saying is, a name you like is more important than one which is original. I wouldnt worry too much about over use, especially of classic names.

I like it

It's feminine without being girly, socially neutral and is works for a little girl and an adult.

I know two adult Imogens- both shortened to "Imo". Both rock, so maybe that's why I like the name!

I have a just 2 yr old Imogen (we're in Essex). Usually call her Immy as do most family and friends. I have certainly found people either seem to love it or hate it and a few people haven't heard of it before. I have actually had moments when I am unsure if I like it but overall I do love it and it suits her. I don't know of any other Imogen's.

I also have a 4 yr old Sophie and in her reception class of 55 there are no other Sophie's and there has only ever been 1 other Sophie at one of her nurseries she went to.

I love it-especially with Mimi as a nn.

I love it, it's on our list! I'm quite glad it seems to get a mixed response, as perhaps that means it's not on it's way to being the next Isabel, Evie etc (both lovely names but so popular round here)

Its not it's grrr bloody auto correct (pedant alert!)

I like it.

I have an imogen, born this January. The response to her name has been universally positive from my FIL who'd never heard of it before (!?) to my very hard to please mother. Also I was worried about it's popularity but my health visitor doesn't even think she's had an imogen before. I'm in Manchester btw. Wanted to use mimi as a nickname but my Dh was sceptical so she gets Im a lot from me and immie from the GP's

I asked this a while ago as it's on our list and we have just found out we are having a girl, so all focus on the girls' names at the moment. General consensus seemed to be that it's not that popular, although I am concerned about its position in the popularity list having been one of 4 Emmas in my class at school!

The feedback on my thread was more positive overall, am surprised so many are saying they don't like it!

I only know of 1 Imogen (in dd's class of 24), so don't think it's 'overused'.

Personally, I'm not keen on it at all, I'm afraid. Don't really know why, I just think there are so many much nicer girls names.

Yes it's a love it or hate it name. I've never like it. It reminds me of the name of a gas company,

I don't know any other Imogen, but I really don't like the name. It doesn't sound very feminine to my ears (nor does it travel into other languages easily).

i know of no imogens and i live in SE london....its cute.

DD has one Imogen in her school year (yr 2). Not sure if it going to be a massively popular name - certainly we never considered it but not against it.

I know three Imogens below the age of 5. Two of them are known as Immie. If that's of any help!

I love Imogen and was top of my girls list but I had a beautiful boy so not required .

I'm in central Scotland and have yet to come across one.

Had a names thread on it beg of December (I couldnt't decide between Imogen, Ailsa or Iona) and vast majority of posters loved it. A few thought it was a bit 'pony club' tho'..

i only know 1 imogen and she's in her 40's but i'm in the black country....seems to be a fairly popular chick-lit name iirc...it's pretty!

I'm in London. I know one Imogen under five, one teenage Imogen and I used to work with an adult Imogen who was mostly known as Immy. It's not massively popular, but it isn't exactly rare.

Not on the same scale as Grace / Evie / Isabel yet, certainly.

Btw, I think it's lovely.

It is the same as up here. I know of one Imogen and when pg with our son now 10 months i wanted Harry (not very popular where we live or lived at the time).

However my relation stole it for her ds, born two weeks before ours , although now they call him Joey as Harry doesn't 'suit'

We called our son Gabriel (Oh's first choice) and everyone raises their eyebrows, but i am told on here that it is rather popular now.