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!

It's one of my worst names...such harsh sounds. It's such a frumpy, ugly name...I'm not even a huge fan of cutesy, frilly names for girls but I prefer something more glam, pretty or just something which has nice, soft sounds

I think it's so beautiful - one of my favourite names and so many nickname options. So classy too and stands out as such when there's so many cutesy frilly girly names these days. But there's the option to use Immy anyway which is cute so you get best of both worlds!

Just shows you can't please everyone though

I wouldn’t choose it as I’m from elsewhere so pick names closer to my background. But it’s nice. Never thought it to be a polarising name...

Dc4 wouldve been Imogen if born a girl (yellow bump and was a boy!). I love it and think it's quite classy and timeless and not over used. Fortunately our families liked it too and we never spoke to anyone else. I'd still consider using it if we were to have more dc (but we won't though. 4 is definitely enough)

Lovely name

Lovely name - inspiring, posh and sounds great. All Imogens I have come across tend to fit this "expectation" perfectly.

Gorgeous.

It's harsh. A good name, as in traditional and familiar and no strong associations, but not really a lovely one.

I like Imogen, I think it's a solid classic.

Everyone has an opinion though, when I floated it as an idea when I was pregnant one friend said it was a stripper name and one said far too posh!

It was actually my husband who killed it for me by telling me of a schoolfriend of his Imogen, nicknamed Modge.

Love it - it’s beautiful, strong and not cutesy like so many girl names which end in an A or EE sound.

Strange how it seems to evoke such strong feeling.

@merryhouse

Yes. Yes it is. It's an ugly shape. It has no redeeming features.

...ahem. Sorry, I think I may be the person you've been seeing around.

I agree, it's an ugly word.

I think it's a pretty name.

@merryhouse

(bear in mind that I like the name Dorcas)

And therefore your opinion in Imogen should be completely ignored 😂😂

@baitandtackle. I think Imogen is fine, if you don't mind her being called Immy or whatever. Anything longer 2 syllables is too ling for regular use in my opinion and I really struggle not to shorten it!!

@MJMG2015 two of my children are always known by their full names (over 2 syllables). Nobody has ever tried to shorten their names.

I've known a few Imogens, none shortened.

I never understand why people say there are "harsh" sounds in Imogen. I don't think M, soft G or N can be called harsh at all. Odd.

OP, the reason why Imogen didn't seem to work well in French was because of the association with the verb gêner. A colleague pointed this out to me; I suppose it wouldn't have occurred to me otherwise.

I adore the name. For years it was my ‘if I have a girl when I grow up’ name. It didn’t end up making my short list as it’s just become a bit too popular for me.

So if Imogen was on my list what might I also like?

My lifelong friend (we are 45 now) is called Imogen. People at school used to call her Imagine but nothing worse than that!

It’s not a name I’d have chosen myself but I don’t think there’s anything awful or ugly about it.

I like it! Strong name

It’s lovely

I like it and had it on my list of baby names. One day I was walking in a park when I heard a woman with a very false sounding posh voice (the type my MIL uses) call 'IMooooogen' 'IMooooogen' and I struck it off my list immediately.

I don’t see it as posh.

I just imagine a prissy little girl so not a huge fan but don’t hate it. I’m also not a fan of inevitable Immy nickname!

I really don't like the sound.

The 3 syllables don't sound good together.

My cousin is a beautiful, fun, caring young girl named Imogen. She’s not posh at all! Never seen it as a posh name, even before she arrived.

I think it’s great