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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Why do people think Imogen is over used?

39 replies

varmit · 05/02/2010 15:25

Really intrigued to know why this name is said to be very popular? I am in SW London, and don't know any. But there are loads of Isabel's, Eve's, and Tilly's.

How many do you know and what area of the country are you in?

I ask as it is currently top of my girl's list, but I don't want to use a name that's about to have a population explosion.

Thanks

OP posts:

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havoc · 05/02/2010 15:30

I don't think it is over used. I only know one and she's 11.
I doubt if it's one of the ten most popular names.

If you like it, use it!

Blanchet · 05/02/2010 15:32

Well, it was #33 most popular at last count, and rising. Of course that's not Emily/Sophie/Chloe level of popularity, but it's not inconsiderable. I hear it/see it quite regularly, not all the time but often enough that it's never really unexpected. Live in Midlands.

Bucharest · 05/02/2010 15:32

I don't think it's over-used. I just don't like it!

thighsmadeofcheddar · 05/02/2010 15:35

I don't know any at all. I think it's sweet.

Ziggurat · 05/02/2010 15:39

Don't think it's particularly over-used. I definitely do not get it, though.

Two4One · 05/02/2010 16:00

It's clearly not overused. Look at the ONS stats. The people who say things like that are obsessed with finding a name for their child that absolutely no other human child has ever borne before - it's a difficult task so they usually compromise and call them ridiculous things like Titus or Virgil in the hope that all their friends will think them terribly original and fascinating. In truth their friends think them wankers.

Imogen is beautiful. If you like it, use it. Don't take thr advice of strangers on the internet!

mathanxiety · 05/02/2010 16:05

I don't get it either, Ziggurat.

Original poster

varmit · 05/02/2010 18:29

Thanks for feedback. Looks like it's a bit of a marmite name! It certainly doesn't bother me that not everyone loves it, I think it's very classy. So long as it doesn't become hugely popular, which looks unlikely given it's marmite status! Not many in SW London anyway, which is quite surprising given that it's perceived as being quite posh!

OP posts:

skidoodle · 05/02/2010 18:37

She came to the Internet looking for advice, but you think it is worth taking time out of your day to tell her she is wrong to do that (despite the fact that you are just another stranger on the Internet)

are you going to post that fatuous shite on every thread on here? Just so everyone knows they mustn't find it useful to be able to poll anonymous strangers online?

merrymonsters · 05/02/2010 18:48

If you're in SW London, a good website to look at is Wandsworth.gov.uk and then search 'name game'. It tells you the popularity of names registered in Wandsworth. It also tells you all the names registered in a year.

For DS1 we chose a name which was about 20th on the national lists, but near the top of the Wandsworth lists - hence we're surrounded with children with the same name.

MrsJohnDeere · 05/02/2010 18:54

I know of no Imogens in the 0-11 age group in my area of Herts.

Raahh · 05/02/2010 19:22

Imogen is at the top of my girls list- but Dh is not as keen.
I think it is lovely, and there are very few in my part of Cheshire.

MrsvWoolf · 06/02/2010 12:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

treacletart · 06/02/2010 13:13

I say go for it! Imogen is an elegant and poetic name and will suit any profession.

My dd is Imogen. She's only 2.5 but we've only met one other so far. We call her Mimi for short. I've never been sure what the problem is with "over use" anyway? Is it just to fulfill a desire to be different? Or maybe to avoid confusion at school? My ds is Oliver and he's never had another Oliver in his class. When we meet another when we're out and about he's thrilled! If there's another Imogen in Dd's class when she's at school I imagine DD might be referred to by her nickname. I reckon we've chosen classic names and I'm fairly certain they'll not be seen as particularly trendy or dated in years to come. Mind you there were 5 Helen's in my class at school including myself - it probably dates me fairly accurately too,but I don't feel I've suffered in any way at all as a consequence!

Wolfblass · 06/02/2010 15:16

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.

CherylsLeftCashley · 06/02/2010 21:20

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.

pollywollydoodle · 06/02/2010 22:16

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!

bluesatinsash · 07/02/2010 15:21

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'..

YouNeverCanTell · 07/02/2010 19:07

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

Butkin · 10/02/2010 22:48

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.

boodleboot · 11/02/2010 08:00

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

sophiesmummie · 11/02/2010 10:08

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).

puffling · 11/02/2010 10:12

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,

mopsyflopsy · 11/02/2010 10:18

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.

emsyj · 11/02/2010 17:28

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!

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