Inge
Fact sheet
- Name
- Inge
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Inge is an independent first name, predominantly given to women, but rarely also to men. In Sweden and Norway, however, it is primarily a male name, derived from Ingo.
What does the name Inge mean?
Inge is an independent first name, predominantly given to women, but rarely also to men. In Sweden and Norway, however, it is primarily a male name, derived from Ingo. The girl's name Inge is considered a Germanized form of the Danish name Inga or a short form of first names that begin with the element "Ing-", mainly including Ingeborg. Literally translated, the name means "the goddess," "dedicated to Ingwio," or metaphorically "protected by the god Ingwio." The origin of the name lies either in the Old High German ingi, ingwio, or ingwaz for "name of a god" (Germanic fertility god/tribal god Ingwio) or in the Old Norse Yngvi for "name of a god" (tribal god of the Ingviones). The name became known through King Inge of Norway and King Inge of Sweden, who both ruled as kings and lived in the Middle Ages between approximately 1060 and 1140 AD. Ínge is the Greenlandic spelling. Other variants include Inka, Inken, Inke, Ineke, Ingke, Insa, Inse, Insea, Ingela, and Ingola. Inge is also commonly used in double forms such as Ingedore, Ingelene, Ingelis, Ingelore, or Ingelotte.
Where does the name Inge come from?
Etymology Inge is a female first name of Old High German and Old Norse origin meaning "the goddess." Old Germanic Old High German Old Norse
How do you pronounce Inge?
Sound & pronunciation of Inge: The name Inge is two syllables and compactly constructed. In German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as "In-ge" [ˈɪŋə], with the nasal sound in the middle creating a closed sound form. The simple structure gives the name clarity. Inge appears sober and tradition-conscious - calm, stable, and present.
When is the name day of Inge?
The name day for Inge is July 30.
Popularity
In Germany, the first name Inge was predominantly ranked between the top 60 and top 95 from 1880 to 1909. Some better years were 1889 (rank 63) and 1897 (rank 66), but overall the name clearly belonged to the solid midfield and not yet to the top group. From 1910, a significant increase in popularity began. In 1927, the name reached rank 5 for the first time, followed by a top 3 ranking in 1930. Between 1933 and 1936, it consistently remained in the top 5, including in 1934 and 1936.
Nicknames & pet names
Ini / Inke Ingal
Similar first names
Famous people
- Alf-Inge Haland (Norwegian footballer)
- Gert-Inge Sigfridsson (Swedish football player)
- Inge Appelt (Croatian actress)
- Inge Blau (German actress)
- Inge Braumuller (German high jumper)
- Inge Brück (German singer)
- Inge Bruck (singer from Germany)
- Inge C. Pohl (Austrian artist)
- Inge de Bruijn (Dutch swimmer)
- Inge Dekker (Dutch swimmer)
- Inge Edler (doctor from Sweden)
- Inge Görmer (speed skater from Germany)
- Inge Hammarstrom (Swedish ice hockey player)
- Inge Hasselsteen (Danish badminton player)
- Inge Heiberg (Norwegian physicist)
- Inge Heiremans (female football player from Belgium)
- Inge Helgard (German singer)
- Inge Hindkjaer (football player from Denmark)
- Inge Jansen (diver from Spain)
- Inge King (German sculptor)
Frequently asked questions about the name Inge
What does the name Inge mean?
Inge literally means 'the goddess' and is connected to the Old High German and Old Norse word for the god Ingwio, who was revered as a fertility god.
Is Inge a typical girl's or boy's name?
Inge is predominantly a girl's name, but it is also used as a boy's name in Sweden and Norway. As a female form, Inge has mainly developed from the Danish name Inga.
What nicknames are there for Inge?
Common nicknames for Inge include Ini, Inke, and Ingal, which allow for a loving and familiar address.
How is the name Inge written and pronounced?
Inge is written as such and is usually pronounced 'In-ge.' There are also alternative spellings like Ínge in Greenland or variants like Inka and Inken.