We are expecting baby number four in the early summer and are having a tough time with names. We are team green for now (and have a couple of ideas if we have a boy), but are really stumped on girls. I’m sure I’ll write a more detailed post at some point that will include our shortlist, but for now just seeking some advice on the name [name_f]Imogen[/name_f].
I love the literary connection, adore the nickname “Immy,” and feel that it fits the bill as far as being a less common name where we live, but still rather [name_f]English[/name_f].
I am from [name_u]England[/name_u], so the name feels very familiar and comfortable to me, but my husband thinks it will not be received well here in Canada—or at the very least that it will be confused with “Imogene” and frequently mispronounced. What do you think?
I really love the idea of using a quintessentially [name_f]English[/name_f] name (which we tried to do with our other children), but I also don’t want to take it too far as we will probably stay permanently in [name_f]Canada[/name_f]. I I know the name ranks in the top 50 in the UK and Australia, but I don’t think it even makes the charts in the US listing. It’s hard to know where it lands in [name_f]Canada[/name_f], as our naming data is fairly poor. [name_f]My[/name_f] guess would be that it is slightly more familiar here than in the US, but likely still very uncommon. I have yet to meet an [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] in any of my children’s classes or activities!
I would love to hear your thoughts on this, and would be particularly curious to hear from those living in Canada/North [name_u]America[/name_u]. Thank you!
@leafsgirl44 might have some insight on how it would be recieved
I think [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is one that’s fairly easy to sound out, but you could always test it with people around you. Maybe do the coffee order test - see how the barista spells it and reacts to it. Ask some friends if they’ve ever met one/heard of it. Either way, [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is lovely
I’m from the US, and I think it would be confused for [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] a lot, since that’s what people are more familiar with. For a long time I didn’t realize [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] was pronounced differently/a separate name.
However, I do think [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is a wonderful name, you seem to really love it, and if you’re okay with correcting people on spelling and pronunciation it could work.
[name_u]Love[/name_u] it have a [name_f]Gemma[/name_f] i imogen combo on my list.
[name_f]Imogen[/name_f] violet is pretty.
Very out there but trendy at same time which I like
I didn’t know [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] and [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] were different names. I don’t know how to pronounce them (I’m from California) and have never met one. Can’t say I’m a fan, but it doesn’t seem bad.
I’m from the [name_u]Southern[/name_u] US & have lived in [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]England[/name_u]. I think people are more open to correction when pronouncing names than it may seem. It’s possible you may get an “Imogene” but it’s a simple correction. I’ve actually been crushing on [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] myself and really love [name_f]Immy[/name_f]! I think I’d be more inclined to use the proper pronunciation given the spelling. To me, [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] and [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] is [name_f]Imogene[/name_f].
As a preschool teacher in Canada I would be delighted to meet a little Imogen! I’ve come across it once in the three years I’ve been teaching. I think there’s only one pop culture reference here with Degrassi: Next Class having an Imogen years ago (~2015?).
I read Imogen as “imm-oh-gen” and Imogene as “imm-oh-geen”, two different names in my accent!
My son’s name is Rhett and we have had to correct it a few times but people are usually pretty quick to pick up on it when we do!
Thank you for all these responses. It’s really helpful to get a sense of what people think.
Talking to people in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] (at least in the Toronto area), it seems that most people do know how to pronounce the name and seem comfortable with it. [name_f]My[/name_f] sense is that the [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] mixup might be more common in the US. [name_f]Canada[/name_f], as a commonwealth country, has a lot more of a UK connection, so perhaps it leans closer to the UK than the US would in this regard.
We’ll keep mulling it over anyway.
As an aside: a friend also reminded me that we have the (British born) biochemist Dr. [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] [name_f]Coe[/name_f], who has provided an influential voice in the argument for equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM. A really great current namesake!
I live in the southern US, and Nameberry is the only place I’ve ever heard [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] said any way but I-Mo-Jean I know several ladies, of all ages, with this name and not a one says it any differently than that, nor do I know anyone who would assume otherwise. I’ve never been fully convinced it’s said Em-Oh-Jin irl because of that
I think if it’s the name you want go for it, there are plenty of names that just need a gentle correction or two so if you’re okay with that I wouldn’t see any issues using it in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] where the other pronunciation is more likely to be known
I’m surprised at the feedback here- I think [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] would be really well received in the US. It has familiarity due to [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] Heap. I would have guessed it would only be susceptible to the [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] pronunciation in southern parts of the US. Definitely not an unheard of name in the PNW where I am! Very pretty name.
I live in the southern US! I’ve never met an Imogen but I’d love to. I don’t think the pronunciation would be much of an issue – you might get Imogene occasionally but I don’t think it’d be too often
I’m in the US (Michigan) and have never met an [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] or [name_f]Imogene[/name_f]. Honestly thought they were both pronounced Im-oh-gin for the longest time until I saw someone say Im-oh-jean
If I saw the name [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] I’d automatically assume it was pronounced Im-oh-gin, but you may have a few people who mispronounce it. i don’t think it would be that big of an issue and it’s a very cute friendly name
I’m in the US and I’ve known two separate Imogen’s who pronounced it Imo-Jen and never once did they appear to have confusion with Imo-Gene or any other pronunciation/spelling issues.
I would be delighted to meet a little Imogen! I’ve come across it once in the three years I’ve been teaching. I think there’s only one pop culture reference here with Degrassi: Next Class having an Imogen years ago (~2015?).
I know several ladies, of all ages, with this name and not a one says it any differently than that, nor do I know anyone who would assume otherwise. I’ve never been fully convinced it’s said Em-Oh-Jin irl because of that 
