Imogen is a female given name of English origin, chiefly used in the United Kingdom and Australia. The name originates from Shakespeare's Cymbeline (1609), where Imogen is the virtuous daughter of King Cymbeline. Shakespeare based Imogen on the legendary British princess Innogen from Holinshed's Chronicles, but a typesetting error resulted in “Imogen,” a form that has persisted. Innogen is thought to derive from the Irish word inghean meaning “maiden.”EtymologyThe ultimate source of Innogen is likely Gaelic inghean (“maiden”), making the name’s fundamental meaning “maiden” or “girl.” The Imogen spelling is a Shakespearean misprint that became standard. A variant is Imogene, which first appeared in the 19th century, possibly influenced by forms like Eugenia.Notable BearersThe earliest known bearer is Imogen, sister of Rivallon I of Dol, an ally of William the Conqueror during the Breton-Norman War. In modern times, notable bearers include Australian model Imogen Bailey, Scottish badminton player Imogen Bankier, and British actress Imogen Stubbs as well as Imogen Poots. U.S. playwright and actor Imogen Binnie contributed to American literature.PopularityImogen has enjoyed particular popularity in the UK and Australia, where it was the 34th most common name for girls in England and Wales in 2014, and the 35th in Australia (2011–2013). In Scotland it ranked 86th (2007). The name has traditionally been rare in the United States; in 2013 only 131 baby girls were named Imogen, placing it outside the top 1,000. Nonetheless, Imogen surged in popularity during the mid-2010s.Cultural SignificanceShakespeare’s Imogen is celebrated as one of his strongest female characters, intelligent, loyal, and resourceful. The name thus evokes associations of wit and resilience. In contemporary culture, the name is regarded as stylish yet classic, especially in the UK.Meaning: Daughter of Cymbeline; probably “maiden” from Gaelic ingheanOrigin: English (Shakespearean coinage)Type: First nameUsage Regions: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, US