Imogen

Pronunciation: [ IHM-uhg-uhn ]

Girl Name #1,127 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

Shakespeare's brave heroine with Celtic roots

British English Welsh Australian

Literary Elegant Vintage Sophisticated Classic

Meaning & Origin

"maiden, girl"

Origin: Celtic

Language: English

"daughter, girl"

Origin: Old Irish

Language: Irish

The Story of Imogen

Imogen is believed to derive from the Celtic name 'Innogen,' meaning 'maiden' or 'girl,' possibly connected to the Old Irish 'ingen' (daughter, girl). Shakespeare used the name for the heroine of his late romance 'Cymbeline' (c. 1610), though it may have resulted from a misprint of 'Innogen' in the First Folio of 1623. Whether intentional or accidental, Shakespeare's version became the standard, cementing Imogen as a name with deep literary prestige.

Imogen has been a staple of British naming for centuries but saw a resurgence in the 1990s-2000s across the UK and Australia. It entered US top charts in the 2010s as American parents discovered British literary names. The Australian rock band Jebediah has no connection, but singer Imogen Heap brought the name to global attention.

Imogen is quintessentially British — it regularly appears in UK top 10 lists for girls. In the context of Shakespeare's Cymbeline, Imogen is portrayed as a model of virtue, fidelity, and courage, lending the name literary gravitas.

Fun Facts

Imogen appears in Shakespeare's Cymbeline, considered one of his most complex and experimental plays
Imogen Heap is a British singer-songwriter and electronic music pioneer who has won multiple Grammy awards
Imogen ranked in the UK top 50 names throughout the 2010s

Imogen in Other Languages

Irish Innogen

Latin Innogen

Welsh Imogen

French Imogène

Spanish Imogen

Famous People Named Imogen

Imogen Poots

Actor

1989

British actress known for Green Room and A Long Way Down

Imogen Heap

Musician

1977

British singer-songwriter and producer known for 'Hide and Seek' and 'Goodnight and Go'

Imogen Fictional

Other

Heroine of Shakespeare's Cymbeline (c. 1610), praised for her virtue and courage

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #1,127
Total SSA Count: 214
Cultural Origins: British English Welsh Australian
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Imogene #2459

Common Nicknames

Immy Genie Immo

Pairs Well With

Imogen Rose Imogen Grace Imogen Jane Imogen Claire Imogen Louise Imogen Violet Imogen Mae

Sibling Names

Cordelia Rosalind Beatrice Felix Hugo Sebastian Isolde

Similar Names

Virginia Genevieve Vivian Imogene Norman Logan Evangeline Vienna

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Imogen

What does the name Imogen mean?

"maiden, girl" (from Celtic). "daughter, girl" (from Old Irish). Imogen is believed to derive from the Celtic name 'Innogen,' meaning 'maiden' or 'girl,' possibly connected to the Old Irish 'ingen' (daughter, girl). Shakespeare used the name for the heroine of his late romance 'Cymbeline' (c. 1610), though it may have resulted from a misprint of 'Innogen' in the First Folio of 1623. Whether intentional or accidental, Shakespeare's version became the standard, cementing Imogen as a name with deep literary prestige.

What is the origin of the name Imogen?

Imogen has Celtic, Old Irish, British, English, Welsh, and Australian origins. In Celtic, it means "maiden, girl". In Old Irish, it means "daughter, girl".

Is Imogen a boy or girl name?

Imogen is primarily used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Imogen?

Imogen is pronounced IHM-uhg-uhn.

How popular is the name Imogen?

Imogen is currently ranked #1127 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Imogen?

Common nicknames for Imogen include Immy, Genie, and Immo.

What are good middle names for Imogen?

Popular middle name pairings include Imogen Rose, Imogen Grace, Imogen Jane, Imogen Claire, Imogen Louise, Imogen Violet, and Imogen Mae.

What are good sibling names for Imogen?

Names that pair well with Imogen as siblings include Cordelia, Rosalind, Beatrice, Felix, Hugo, Sebastian, and Isolde.

How many syllables does Imogen have?

Imogen has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Imogen a common or rare name?

Imogen is an uncommon name, ranked #1127 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Imogen

Imogen is a girl name with British, English, Welsh, and Australian origins . The name means "maiden, girl" in Celtic .

Imogen is currently ranked #1,127 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Imogen has 3 syllables and is pronounced IHM-uhg-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Imogen include Immy, Genie, and Immo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Imogen include Imogene . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.