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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Imogen - boring and sensible??

44 replies

passionberry · 30/01/2010 14:12

I think Imogen is really pretty and am leaning towards it rather than my original choice of Isla.

Can't think of a middle name to go with it though and some people have commented that it sounds "sensible" and "serious".

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Bucharest · 30/01/2010 14:18

Neither. It sounds harsh to me. (it's that hard "g" in the middle)

nickelbabe · 30/01/2010 14:23

imogen's normally pronouced with a soft g (like in ginger)

i think it's pretty.
timeless and elegant.

silverfrog · 30/01/2010 14:27

Beautiful and classic

Bucharest · 30/01/2010 14:30

That's the g I mean! (sorry, getting my hard and soft mixed up)

jasper · 30/01/2010 14:34

beautiful name.
Enid Blyton's daughters were called Gillian and Imogen

Original poster
passionberry · 30/01/2010 14:37

Yes, I thought it was more "classic" than Isla which seems more of a fashionable choice at the moment.

Anyone who has done this before - is it better not to tell anyone and then announce the name when baby gets here? I am getting disheartened by people's reactions - can't seem to find a name that everyone likes!

OP posts:
tummytickler · 30/01/2010 14:38

Much prefer Imogen to Isla.

Runoutofideas · 30/01/2010 15:37

Love Imogen - my 2nd would have been an Imogen if I'd got my way in the matter! Pretty, timeless, elegant and stylish. Don't tell people the name if it'll put you off. Once the baby has arrived people are far less likely to be rude about your choice!

Runoutofideas · 30/01/2010 15:38

I meant if their comments will put you off. You'll never find a name that everyone likes!

TheHappyCamper · 30/01/2010 15:42

I love Imogen. It is the name of my (at present) imaginary dd2! I like Anna as a middle name, think it goes quite well. I'm not too keen on Isla - seem to hear it quite often round here.

My dd1 is Madeleine btw - different enough I guess but they would go together.

I wouldn't tell anyone your name choice before the birth - just introduce her as X - noone would say anything once baby is here! (worked for us anyway!)

crumpette · 30/01/2010 17:55

Don't ever tell people in RL about names you are considering until DC has arrived, they will almost always have negative opinions which can then stick in your mind even if you love the name

btw Imogen is nicer than Isla imo, as Isla is Spanish for island and I cannot help but want to pronounce it 'is-la' not 'eye-la'

Runoutofideas · 30/01/2010 18:39

My dd2 goes to preschool with an "eye-la" spelled Aila....

diddl · 30/01/2010 18:59

I love it.

Imogen Elizabeth?

HalcyonDaze · 30/01/2010 19:03

I really like Imogen....it's on my shortlist too. Apparantly it's becoming quite popular but I don't know any Imogens at all.

I think it's pretty, distinctive and sassy. I particularly like the nn Gen or Genny. Altho I don't dislike Isla, I much prefer Imogen.

As for mn's I think it all depends on your surname. We have a 1 syllable sn so personally wouldn't go for a 1 syllable mn. Our current choices are:

Imogen Victoria
Imogen Evangeline
Imogen Daisy
Imogen Hazel
Imogen Mariella
Imogen Lucy

SqueezyB · 30/01/2010 19:59

oooh, hadn't considered it before but now it's on my shortlist, I like it!

I've never met an Imogen but apparently it was no.33 in 2009, so I guess the only thing is it might be getting a bit popular if that matters to you.

LynetteScavo · 30/01/2010 20:05

I love the name Imogen. It would definately be top of my list if I had another girl.

I must warn you though, names I like tend to really shoot up in popularity.

LynetteScavo · 30/01/2010 20:05

I love the name Imogen. It would definately be top of my list if I had another girl.

I must warn you though, names I like tend to really shoot up in popularity.

grammar · 30/01/2010 20:13

I have an Imogen. Incidentally, it comes from Shakespeare's play Cymbeline.
We liked it because it didn't end in 'ie' or 'a' and yes, it maybe sensible but 'dizzy, ditsy and flipperty gibbert', it is not. I still love it, but be prepared for the lovely 'plumpness' of 'Imogen' to be replaced by the rather 'pinched' (in my opinion) 'Immie', as soon as she starts school.
I would't tell anyone names; as you say, you can't please everyone all of the time. Stick with your gut feeling.

TabithaTwitchet · 30/01/2010 20:28

It is DH's favourite name and was a serious contender for DD's name. If we have another girl she is quite likely to be Imogen
Only thing that slightly put me off was that the nickname we would probably have is a bit "Harry Potter" (ie Ginny)

frizzylizzie · 30/01/2010 20:29

Imogen is much nicer than Isla. Isla is weak sounding and Imogen very strong!

MaggieTaSeFuar · 30/01/2010 20:31

I like Imogen. It's a strong sounding name that doesn't end in A. two votes from me there.

Isla is pretty but very of the moment and very la la la sounding.

LetThereBeRock · 30/01/2010 20:50

I don't think it's at all boring. It's beautiful.

campion · 30/01/2010 20:59

I know a 1 year old Imogen and she's adorable ( she would have been with any name, but still...).
It's a lovely, timeless name and I don't think it's destined to become another Evie / Ellie as far as popularity goes.

Raahh · 31/01/2010 10:07

I LOVE Imogen and it is my favourite name if DC3 is a girl- but DH is set against it.

But this is a man who thought Posey (spelt that way too!), was a serious suggestion, ffs!

TubbyDuffs · 31/01/2010 10:11

Imogen was top of my list for my daughter, as I quite liked Immy as a shortened version, but DH was against it.

He came up with Dervla .... yuck yuck yuck.

Anyhow, in the end the name found her and we named her something we both loved that we hadn't thought about until the night she was born.

But I give a thumbs up to Imogen.