Do you know an IMOGEN?

WyomingMom · December 2014

Hi there!

We would like our 2nd child to have a fairly simple, easy name that is easy to pronounce and easy to spell. Our DS is Patrick, and people always get it right first time, which we love.

If we have a girl, we are very keen on the name Imogen. However, I've never had a friend or relation called Imogen, so I'm not sure whether this is an "easy" name or not. If your name, DD's name or friend's name is Imogen, I would love to hear from you!

1) Do people usually pronounce her name correctly?
2) Do people usually spell it correctly?
3) Do people ever ask her to repeat it?
4) Does she have a nickname?

Also, can you help us to pick a middle name? Our surname is Jenkins; current frontrunners are

Imogen Louisa Jenkins
Imogen Grace Jenkins
Imogen Eliza Jenkins
Imogen Laura Jenkins
Imogen Helena Jenkins

Your thoughts??

J+A10 · December 2014

I have seen Imogen but don't know anyone with the name. I don't know how to pronounce it without looking it up. With that said, I can imagine that it would be a new name and may be difficult to pronounce for many people. If you still love the name then go for it!

IrishTraveler · December 2014

I knew an Imogene once. I don't confuse the pronunciation with Imogen, which I pronounce /Eh-ma-JEN.

elvinnoe · December 2014

I know an Imogene, but not an Imogen. They're both beautiful names.

mjune3881 · December 2014

I'm not a fan of Imogen. I think it sounds like a medicine. But I guess you didn't ask for my opinion on that

I don't think it is hard to pronounce, maybe hard to spell. And yes some people may ask her to repeat it, but who cares if you love it. I like Grace as the middle name. I think Imogen is a longish name and Grace is a nice short one syllable name to go with it.

benmel31 · December 2014

I have only had contact with one Imogen, in DDs gymnastics class. Based on pronunciation, I assume it is spelled this way.

For the middle name, I like Grace or Eliza.

nurse714 · December 2014

I don't know anyone with that name and I've only seen it on this board. I don't even know if I'm pronouncing it correctly.

4N6s · December 2014

I don't know an Imogene and I'm personally naf. The middle name options are better, imo.

this decaf life · December 2014

IrishTraveler said:

I knew an Imogene once. I don't confuse the pronunciation with Imogen, which I pronounce /Eh-ma-JEN.

I don't know any IRL. I would not have pronounced it correctly if it is Eh-ma-JEN but it would be an easy fix.

I like the look of Imogen Louisa, just not sure I love the sound of Eh-ma-JEN.

queenbone · December 2014

I don't know one, but I like it a lot. My favorites are Imogen Louisa and Imogen Helena

Megpie5 · December 2014

One of my friends had a little girl earlier this year and named her Imogen. She said once people hear it pronounced there are no problems, but she does have to explain how it's spelled. Her nickname is Immy which I think is simple and super cute. I like a one syllable middle name with it, so would go with Grace from your list.

WyomingMom · December 2014

Thanks for all your comments

I would pronounce it IM-ə-jən (where ə is an unstressed neutral vowel, like the e in kitchen)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35OpnjG957U

llbne · December 2014

I know two Imogens who pronounce it as you say. Both use the nickname Immy.

SarahGM · December 2014

There's an Imogen in DS' daycare class. I can't answer the questions too well tho.

scaggsed · December 2014

Fwiw, I've never met one, but that is how I would have pronounced it. And I've heard of it (also there's a singer with that name I really like) so I would get the spelling easily.

pipeTsquared · December 2014

Im-uh-jen / im-uh-jun

(certianly not with an -eye- as the first sound)

I was pretty common here a few years ago, I don't know any personally but know of a fair few

No one here says it any differently to me

strawberrytree · December 2014

I know an Imogen. I don't know her well enough to know about spelling or pronunciation issues, but nobody in the group had trouble with her name. She was called Immy as a nn as well. Love Imogen Louisa.