Imogen

At a Glance

Meaning

Maiden, girl (from Scottish Gaelic 'inghean')

Origin

Celtic (Scottish Gaelic), via a Shakespearean misprint

Gender

Primarily used for girls

Pronunciation

IM-uh-jenListen

Imogen is a Celtic name from the Scottish Gaelic 'inghean,' meaning 'maiden' or 'girl.' You may see it said to mean 'innocent' or 'beloved child,' but that's a false etymology based on how the name sounds. The name itself came from a printing error, when 'Innogen' was misprinted in early Shakespeare editions.

Meaning & Origin of Imogen

Meaning: Maiden, girl (from Scottish Gaelic 'inghean').

Origin: Celtic (Scottish Gaelic), via a Shakespearean misprint.

A common claim: Imogen is popularly said to mean 'innocent' or 'beloved child'. Actually: This is a false etymology based on phonetic resemblance — Imogen actually derives from Scottish Gaelic 'inghean' (maiden/girl), and the name itself arose from a printing error of 'Innogen' in early Shakespeare editions.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Imogen

Popularity of Imogen

In 2024, Imogen ranked #1126 in the U.S., with 214 babies given the name. That's also the highest it has ranked in any year from 1915 through 2024.

Names Like Imogen

These names have followed a similar path to Imogen in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Bexley
• Zayan
• Eitan
• Avayah
• Zephyr
• Aurelius

FAQ

What does the name Imogen mean?

Maiden, girl (from Scottish Gaelic ‘inghean’). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Imogen?

Imogen is pronounced IM-uh-jen (IPA: /ˈɪmədʒən/).

Is Imogen a popular name right now?

Imogen is at its highest recorded popularity right now, ranked #1126 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1915–2024.)

Make Imogen Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Imogen, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.