[name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I really like the name [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] as a first name but are a little leery since it was the top viewed name on Nameberry for the first half of 2014. That said, not many babies were actually named [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] in 2013. I haven’t figured out a way to search to see if people have actually named their babies [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] so far this year (we are due in late [name_f]October[/name_f]) so I thought I would throw the question out.
If you could please let me know if you have named your baby [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] (as a first name) or know of someone who recently has or are planning to in 2014 (along with your state or region perhaps because I am trying to also figure out how common this name will be in [name_f]Missouri[/name_f] where we live), I would be beyond appreciative.
Thank you so much.
[name_f]Sara[/name_f]
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is in the top 50 in the UK as well as a favorite here on Nameberry, so I think that’s where all the views are coming from. It’s still relatively unheard of here in the US, so if you’re in [name_f]Missouri[/name_f] then I wouldn’t worry about its popularity. I also don’t think it has the sort of wide appeal that makes names popular in [name_u]America[/name_u]–if it does take off here, I think its niche will be among Northeastern yuppie types. I can’t imagine it getting too popular down South.
Thank you so much for your thoughts!
[name_f]Sara[/name_f]
I do not know anyone who has named there baby [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. Go for it! I completely understand your angst, we loved [name_f]Nora[/name_f] (named our daughter that) and then the name came out of the freaking woodwork.
Be careful not to over-estimate the influence of Nameberry trendiness on real-world naming. There is lag time. [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] has been very popular on this site for over a year, yet there were only 131 baby girls named [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] in the US in 2013 (that’s only 1 in every 15,000 baby girls!). The name is on the rise, but it’s not nearly as precipitous of a rise as names like [name_f]Aria[/name_f]/ [name_u]Arya[/name_u], for example. [name_f]My[/name_f] personal guess is that the Britberries contribute a lot to [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]'s popularity on this site. Personally, I think it sounds a bit ugly, and most of my friends have the same reaction when they hear it. Others love it, but I just don’t think it really has a huge mass appeal factor (like a history of family use) to catch on here in the US. Finally, people in the States generally have trouble figuring out the pronunciation, which will work against the name catching on.
You can also look up popularity in your state on the social security website.
I know one person ([name_f]East[/name_f] Coast U.S.) who has named their baby [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. She is pretty eccentric, and was really mad to hear it was the “top baby name” this year. I explained to her that it just had a lot of views on a website, and she calmed down.
In short, no, in the U.S., I don’t think a lot of people are naming their kids [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. Personally, I love it. It’s been a GP name for me since I heard it in the movie Down to You (lol), and I love nns [name_f]Ginny[/name_f]/[name_f]Genny[/name_f] as well.
There were 131 Imogens born in 2013. So no, not very many at all. You’re more likely to meet an [name_f]Honor[/name_f] or a [name_f]Symphony[/name_f].
Thank you all very much for your thoughts!
[name_f]Sara[/name_f]
Also, if the name does catch on and eventually reach #1 on the girls list, that will take at least 15 years. Names rise and fall in popularity (especially at the top of the list) at a surprisingly slow pace. So if you’re okay with that as a worst case scenerio on the popularity front, I’d say go for it. (And if you’re in [name_f]Missouri[/name_f], the midwest is generally behind in naming trends…so that works for you too)
If you didn’t notice, I did just suggest you use a name that I personally don’t care for! That’s because if you get people to be honest about a name, you’ll rarely find a name that >50% of people like. Other people’s liking/disliking of the name really isn’t important as long as you and the other parent feel that it is a good choice. (assuming the name isn’t offensive)
Best wishes, I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings. I have an INTJ personality, which means I can be overly analytical and deficient in empathy = “brutally honest” = “insensitive jerk”
I don’t see the name [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] catching on outside of small artsy circles here in the US. Most people think of it as a lesser heard of old lady name. While [name_f]Violet[/name_f] and [name_u]Ruby[/name_u] are getting lots of love, [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] isn’t likely to join them.
I have never met an [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. I honestly have this concern with the girl names on our list because I see it popping up on Nameberry a lot. But then I remember that there are tons of people from all over the world coming on to this forum. So the name may look popular but in reality it is not. I have never met any of the girl names we have on our list. If you love it then go for it. Its a beautiful name with a vintage antique feel.
The only [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] I know is in high school. But her parents have an eclectic taste is names any way. Her older sister is [name_f]Olwyn[/name_f] and her younger brother is [name_m]Nikolai[/name_m].
I’ve never met or even heard of a real-life [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. It’s pretty popular in the UK but barely known in [name_u]North[/name_u] [name_u]America[/name_u]. It feels quintessentially British to me, with a soft, quiet charm, and the [name_m]Cymbeline[/name_m] character was an interesting one. Use [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] if you love it!
Thank you all so very much!!
I also agree with not letting the “nameberry” list affect your decision. What I search for on here is not always what I would ever think of naming my child I search for a lot of names some times out of curiosity. I think [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is beautiful and you should definitely choose it! I don’t know anyone with that name!
I haven’t met any Imogens in southern [name_f]CA[/name_f], baby or otherwise.
Thank you guys so much for your thoughts! We really appreciate it!
I know one [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] who is about 3-4, and I have met 3 others that are all between 18-22. I’m in Australia, and I love the name [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]! I think it’s lovely and I especially love the nickname [name_f]Ginny[/name_f]