"maiden, girl"
Origin: Celtic
Language: English
Imogen
Pronunciation: [ IHM-uhg-uhn ]
Does Imogen flow with your last name?
Shakespeare's brave heroine with Celtic roots
British
English
Welsh
Australian
Literary
Elegant
Vintage
Sophisticated
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
"daughter, girl"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Imogen
See all →What the Imogen report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Imogen the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
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.
Historical Record
Imogen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1993.
Over 2,927 babies have been named Imogen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Imogen is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,127 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#1,127
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Imogen
I
Imogen Poots
Actor
1989
British actress known for Green Room and A Long Way Down
I
Imogen Heap
Musician
1977
British singer-songwriter and producer known for 'Hide and Seek' and 'Goodnight and Go'
I
Imogen Fictional
Other
Heroine of Shakespeare's Cymbeline (c. 1610), praised for her virtue and courage
Names You Might Also Love
See all →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
Common Nicknames
Immy
Genie
Immo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Imogen
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Imogen fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Imogen →Compare Imogen with...
Same Origin Names (British)
See all British names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Imogen
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Imogen and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Imogen sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Joyce
Girl
Breton via Old French origin
"lord"
#1,042 in US
Harlee
Girl
Old English origin
"hare's meadow, hare's clearing"
#981 in US
Robyn
Girl
Germanic origin
"bright fame"
#1,295 in US
Mollie
Girl
English origin
"pet form of Mary"
#1,209 in US
Clare
Girl
Old French origin
"luminous, brilliant"
#950 in US
Emmaline
Girl
Germanic origin
"whole, universal"
#1,198 in US
Landry
Girl
Germanic origin
"ruler of the land"
#1,187 in US
Shea
Girl
Irish origin
"descendant of Séaghdha"
#1,188 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Imogen's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
What girl names are similar to Imogen?
Are there other spellings for Imogen?
Related spellings include Imogene.
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.
Keep Exploring
Celtic Names
Browse all names with this origin
I
Names Starting with I
More girl names like Imogen
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis