Imogen: Is “Imo” avoidable?

[name_m]Hi[/name_m] everyone!
I used to think that [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] (Imm-uh-jen) was a nicknameless name… until the nicknames [name_f]Immy[/name_f] and [name_f]Imo[/name_f] got brought to my attention.
I firmly believe that [name_f]Immy[/name_f] is avoidable, it just feels too cutesy for people to use on anything but a small child called [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. I’m okay with Ims as an occasional nickname, in fact I quite like it. Same with [name_f]Jen[/name_f] / [name_f]Jenny[/name_f]. But there’s just something about [name_f]Imo[/name_f] (Imm-O) which I really dislike.
So tell me, is [name_f]Imo[/name_f] an avoidable nickname for [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]? Especially one that’s a teen or adult?

Thank you!

I definitely think it’s avoidable. Honestly [name_f]Imo[/name_f] never occurred to me. Other nicknames for [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] seem more intuitive, like Im/Immy and Gen/Genny, but I think most nicknames can be avoided by those who don’t like to be called a nickname.

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So I personally don’t like this name at all but my instinct would be rather to call her [name_u]Mo[/name_u] or [name_f]Gen[/name_f]?

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i would never have thought of imo as a nickname for imogen! it just doesn’t sound like a name to me. i think you can definitely avoid imo.

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Thank you! You’re right - it doesn’t sound or feel like a name. E.g. [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] gets shortened to [name_u]Chris[/name_u], and [name_u]Chris[/name_u] is and feels like a name. But [name_f]Imo[/name_f] on the other hand isn’t a name particularly.

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I dont think [name_f]Imo[/name_f] feels as natural as Immy/Gen/Genny/Mo/Ims or [name_f]Midge[/name_f], [name_u]Or[/name_u] any of the other nickname options. If its just [name_f]Imo[/name_f] you want to avoid I think your safe.

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Thank you!
Out of [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] nicknames, which would you be most likely to use?

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[name_f]Imo[/name_f] feels really unnatural to say for me so I think its avoidable.

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I’ve known three Imogens and no one called them [name_f]Imo[/name_f]. One was pretty much always [name_f]Immy[/name_f], the other two were just [name_f]Imogen[/name_f].
I dont think [name_f]Imo[/name_f] is intuitive, Ims or [name_f]Immy[/name_f] feel more so

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I don’t think it would be intuitive for most people since the o in [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] isn’t super stressed, like it doesn’t sound very natural for a nickname. I think [name_f]Immy[/name_f] is the only nickname that really has the possibility of being defaulted to, and like you said it doesn’t seem like the type of thing people would use that much.

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[name_f]Immy[/name_f] and [name_f]Ginny[/name_f] are the only super intuitive ones for me. I wouldn’t think of [name_f]Imo[/name_f] without being prompted. It’s cute—and it’s avoidable.

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This is a strange one. I also would’ve thought it nicknameless but I then I met an [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] who’s own parents called her [name_f]Imo[/name_f]. It doesn’t make sense to me as a nickname, it doesn’t feel intuitive, but there it was anyway. I have no idea whether anyone else aside from her parents called her this.
I defs think the vast majority of people would just use the full [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. But no one can say with certainty that [name_f]Imo[/name_f] would never ever be used by anyone. It just doesn’t feel established at all, the ‘o’ sound in [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] is pronounced as a schwa (uh) not an oh sound, and I concur if anything [name_f]Immy[/name_f] would be far more likely.

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It would not occur to me to call an [name_f]Imogen[/name_f] [name_f]Imo[/name_f].

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The two Imogens I know (one middle aged, one aged 10) both get Immy. I’ve never heard of Imo being used for other Imogens I’ve come across either. I think you’re safe!

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[name_f]Imo[/name_f] wouldn’t occur to me, but I wouldn’t be so sure [name_f]Immy[/name_f] is avoidable - I know a lot of Imogens and they all get [name_f]Immy[/name_f] whether they like it or not (although [name_u]Britain[/name_u] is a very nicknamey culture)

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imo/immo never occurred to me - i think it’s unlikely to be used. it just feels a bit like a… worse version of immy? immy is the only one that i would consider a natural intuitive nickname, but even that’s something i would only think of using for someone i was very close to or a small child, since i agree it feels like an affectionate diminutive.

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my thoughts exactly!!

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For me personally probably [name_f]Immy[/name_f] or [name_f]Midge[/name_f].

IMO no. :joy:

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Hahaha :joy: