Imogene

At a Glance

Meaning

Uncertain; possibly from Gaelic 'inghean' (girl) via a misprint of 'Innogen'

Origin

Uncertain (probably Gaelic, via a misprint of 'Innogen')

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

IM-oh-jeenListen

Imogene is pronounced IM-oh-jeen, and its roots are genuinely uncertain: the most likely trail leads back to a Gaelic word, 'inghean' (girl), arriving in English through a misprint of 'Innogen' in Shakespeare's Cymbeline. You may come across the claim that Imogene is Latin for 'maiden,' but that's not accurate — name scholars point to that printing error as the more probable source, not a Latin word. If you're drawn to a name with an origin story that's more mystery than certainty, Imogene fits.

Meaning & Origin of Imogene

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly from Gaelic 'inghean' (girl) via a misprint of 'Innogen'.

Origin: uncertain (probably Gaelic, via a misprint of 'Innogen').

A common claim: means 'maiden' (Latin) Actually: The 'Latin for maiden' claim is doubtful — most name scholars trace Imogen/Imogene to a probable misprint of 'Innogen' in Shakespeare's Cymbeline, a Gaelic-rooted name, not a Latin word.

How to Pronounce Imogene

Popularity of Imogene

Imogene hit its high point in 1927, ranking #157 with 1,494 babies given the name that year. Since then it's faded, landing at #2464 in 2024 with just 73 babies named Imogene.

Names Like Imogene

These names share Imogene’s style, era or origin.

• Adria
• Adrienne
• Aldera
• Angelica
• Aprilia
• Astra

FAQ

What does the name Imogene mean?

Uncertain; possibly from Gaelic ‘inghean’ (girl) via a misprint of ‘Innogen’.

How do you pronounce Imogene?

Imogene is pronounced IM-oh-jeen (IPA: /ˈɪməˌdʒiːn/).

Is Imogene a popular name right now?

Imogene peaked at #157 in 1927 and is ranked #2464 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Imogene Name Art

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