Is Imogen that bad?

[baitandtackle]

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!

Oh I think it’s an absolutely beautiful name. I know a lovely little girl called Imogen whose about 7.
It’s making a bit of a come back I think, but it’s pretty timeless.
Really lovely name

I am a 70s girl with a sensible 70s name (along the Claire, Sarah, Susan lines) and Imogen is my middle name. I always wished it was my first name as it's more romantic and pretentious than my utilitarian first name. I would have been a more wafty willowy sort of person if I'd been Imogen Sensiblename rather than Sensiblename Imogen. Mind you back then no one had ever heard of it and I used to explain it to my friends as "sounds a bit like Emma-Jane".

In short, I love it and wish it was my first name :)

It's very private school leavers' hoodie.

@ImaSababa

It's very private school leavers' hoodie.

Many, many years ago maybe. Not for years now, though.

It's Shakespearean, so it should be a classic name.
I don't love it but it's ok.
I don't like Immy or contrived diminutives like Genny or Mimi, but as a full name it is fine.

Actually, thinking about it, it is quite nice.

I like it
I was almost called Imogen and sometimes I think I'd prefer Imogen to my actual name

Who says it's bad? They're wrong, it's lovely

I love it! I think it works for all ages and is strong and feminine.

I really like it. Well it was a relief to find out it wasn't pronounced I-modge-in (with the emphasis on the middle syllable) which is what I thought when I had only seen it written down and not spoken. I was only about seven though

I like it. It's a name to live up to, strong, purposeful and independent sounding.

I don't mind it and it's not my usual style at all - it's pretty when said out loud and not super common currently (where I live anyway).

However, written down it looks like a medicine for thrush. The way the word looks reminds me of ibuprofen or canesten or some kind of over the counter medical assistance, which puts me off!... That might just be me though 🤣

I think it's lovely!

I love it!

I really like it.

OP, I wonder if you have been put off by the 'irrational dislikes' thread. There is someone on that thread who feels that my DD's name belongs to a fat, stupid, puddingy girl. It does not matter. I do not know that person. This board is heavily dominated by a small number of very prolific posters who have some very strong opinions, and a larger number of people who are much more interested in names than the general population. We are all just a bunch of strangers with a bit of time on our hands.

Although FWIW I love Imogen! (If you're interested - it was probably a typo. It's now thought that Shakespeare was using Innogen, which was the name of a legendary early British queen, and the printers made a mistake when printing the text. Having stood for over four hundred years, however, I think it is pretty well-established!)

I think it's lovely. If you like it, use it.

@PlumsInTheIcebox

OP, I wonder if you have been put off by the 'irrational dislikes' thread. There is someone on that thread who feels that my DD's name belongs to a fat, stupid, puddingy girl. It does not matter. I do not know that person. This board is heavily dominated by a small number of very prolific posters who have some very strong opinions, and a larger number of people who are much more interested in names than the general population. We are all just a bunch of strangers with a bit of time on our hands.

Although FWIW I love Imogen! (If you're interested - it was probably a typo. It's now thought that Shakespeare was using Innogen, which was the name of a legendary early British queen, and the printers made a mistake when printing the text. Having stood for over four hundred years, however, I think it is pretty well-established!)

Yes, it was that thread that made me think twice about the name. Silly I know! Thank you, what you've said makes sense

@baitandtackle count how many hundreds of names have been listed as "disliked" on that thread. You're focusing on Imogen as it's on your list but I read the whole thread and never noticed the Imogen comments. I suppose as I wasn't looking out for them and you were.
It's such a lovely name and hopefully you've seen in this thread how many of us love it

I love it but then I have an Imogen, never heard of anyone called Imogen however it was popular locally that year and she has 2 other in year group. My Imogen is kind, beautiful, generous and gentle. She was Immy as a toddler, Idgy to friends in upper primary and as a teen it’s now Midge.

@baitandtackle I would also add that it is easy for me to shrug off the opinion of a stranger on the internet because my DD is a fully-formed personality; it is much harder when names are still an abstract concept for a baby who isn’t here yet. If you use Imogen (or indeed any other name) then it will very quickly become associated with your lovely DD and nothing else

[quote PlantPotting]@baitandtackle count how many hundreds of names have been listed as "disliked" on that thread. You're focusing on Imogen as it's on your list but I read the whole thread and never noticed the Imogen comments. I suppose as I wasn't looking out for them and you were.
It's such a lovely name and hopefully you've seen in this thread how many of us love it[/quote]
You're right, thank you!

It's back at the top of the list!

[quote PlumsInTheIcebox]@baitandtackle I would also add that it is easy for me to shrug off the opinion of a stranger on the internet because my DD is a fully-formed personality; it is much harder when names are still an abstract concept for a baby who isn’t here yet. If you use Imogen (or indeed any other name) then it will very quickly become associated with your lovely DD and nothing else [/quote]
Very true! Thank you.

I really like it too, don't get all the negativity at all.

Where I live it’s like Matilda - a bit different about 15 years ago, but now one of the most popular names around.

I like Imogen and Immi. Another great nickname for it could be Mimi.