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!

Very ugly. Sounds like a a detergent or washing powder.

I love it and it's my first choice if I had another DD. I too am baffled by MN's hatred of it 🤷🏼‍♀️

@MyMomisaplumber Imogen was at its most popular about 10-15 years ago when it's numbers reached a peak but it's about to leave the top 60 names now, it's numbers have been falling every year. I don't know anyone under 8 years old with this name.

Imogen is one of my favourite names @baitandtackle - I love love love it ❤️
So glad it's at the top of your list.

My bfs daughter who is smart kind and beautiful. I love it because of her.

It's a name made up through a misprint in an early Shakespeare folio of the play Cymbaline. The name of the charcater Innogen (from legend) was mistaken for Imogen and has been used in the play ever since and has become a mainstream name.

I like the name but I hate the dertivies, particularly Immie.

I love it!
Especially MiMi as a nn

It sounds a bit prissy and wet. Especially the nn Immy.

I've always loved it. Developed a thing for Latin names personally, so didn't end up using it myself but I think it's special and elegant. I work in schools and have met less than 5 over the years.

I personally love the name Imogen

Love Imogen - don't let a bunch of random (sometimes very random) strangers put you off it. It's a great name.

I knew it was that thread that sent you here! Mine, DHs, both DC, my middle name and DC1 middle name (and every single pet we have) appeared on that thread. Try not to let it bother you.

I love Imogen, and it was on my list for both of my DCs, however I only had boys so no opportunity to use it. I think it's classic and timeless (like my boys names, which on the other thread are declared boring)..

The name of the character Innogen/ Imogen was derived form the Irish for daughter - en.wiktionary.org/wiki/in%C3%ADon etymology here.

It seems a little like stating the obvious, like Colleen (meaning girl).

I love it. I think it is soft and musical. I wonder if it sounds harsher in different accents as I can't understand the posters who think it sounds ugly.

I love the name so much! Imogen would have been my DD's name but for two reasons: it doesn't work in French (we were living in a French-speaking country when she was born) and also, my Swedish stepfather famously said, "What the bloody hell kind of name is that?!"

I don't like it.

It sounds like 3 different syllables randomly put together. I find it harsh and unfeminine.

I like the name Imogen. A lovely classic name IMO.

I love it, and the woman I know with the name. Totally dont get the hate!

@FluffyEggsontoast, fair enough. However, I work in a school (ages 2-11)and we have at least one Imogen and one Matilda in every year group. Regional variation I guess. X

Very surprised that a lot of people think it’s posh. I know we aren’t allowed to say ‘chavvy’ on MN but that’s how I’ve always viewed it - people trying to be aspirational but completely missing the mark, another example would be Darcey ...

I hate the sound. So unfeminine.

It’s lovely. We have one in the family hence it wasn’t on our list. But it’s beautiful.

It’s a nice name- I wouldn’t have considered it for dd as too popular but it’s nice and pretty sounding. I’m surprised people have strong opinions on it I’d put it in the same category as Isabella/Amelia/Amelie/Sophia

@remainin interesting you discounted it because of being in a French speaking place - our DD is an Imogen and my French parents love it - and it sounds lovely in a French accent (although most things do!)

It’s definitely not a French name though - so many people have asked if it is, because I have French parents and DD has a French middle name.

Obviously it goes without saying I love it as it’s DDs name. We wanted something that wasn’t cutesy and didn’t end in either -a or -ie, but that was still pretty.

I love Imogen! Really wanted it for dd but DH hated it, said it reminded him of a character off Big Brother who slept with a famous footballer years ago... I said it was a ridiculous association but he couldn't get past it!

Love Imogen - I too remember that big brother Imogen but always felt she was not a ‘true’ Imogen iyswim