UK girl's name
Inge
A feminine name of Scandinavian origin meaning "beautiful" or "protected".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2005. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Inge is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Inge popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2005 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4798, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2003 to 2005. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Inge. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2006 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Inge ranked #4798 for girls in England and Wales in 2005, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 3 girls were registered as Inge.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Inge as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4798
2005
Births in 2005
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Inge mean?
The name Inge originates from the Old Norse language and has its roots in the word "Ingvi," which was the name of a Norse god associated with fertility and peace. This name was widely used in Scandinavian countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark during the Viking era, around the 8th to 11th centuries.
In Old Norse, the name Inge was a masculine form, and its feminine counterpart was Inga. It was often given to children with the hope of invoking the blessings of the god Ingvi for a peaceful and prosperous life. The name's meaning is closely linked to the concept of "protection" or "blessed with abundance."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Inge can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of historical tales and literature from the 13th century. The name was prominently featured in these sagas, indicating its widespread usage among the Norse people during that time period.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Inge. One of the most famous was Inge I, who ruled as King of Norway from 1067 to 1069. Another prominent figure was Inge II, who reigned as King of Norway from 1142 to 1161, known for his efforts in consolidating royal power and strengthening the Norwegian monarchy.
In the realm of art and literature, Inge Vavouritsa (1900-1971) was a renowned Greek painter and sculptor, celebrated for her vibrant depictions of Greek life and culture. Similarly, Inge Meysel (1910-2004) was a German actress renowned for her roles in both theater and film, gracing the stages of Berlin and beyond.
Inge Lehmann (1888-1993), a Danish seismologist and geophysicist, made groundbreaking contributions to the study of Earth's interior structure. Her discovery of the Earth's inner core and outer core in 1936 was a significant milestone in the field of seismology, earning her numerous accolades and recognition.
While the name Inge has its origins in the Old Norse language, it has gained popularity across various cultures and regions over time, transcending its initial geographical boundaries. The name continues to be used today, carrying with it the essence of its historical roots and the enduring legacy of those who have borne it throughout the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Inge over time
The chart below shows babies named Inge registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2005. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Inge, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2005, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Inge by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Inge was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4586 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Inge
- Isabella 58,822
- Isla 51,854
- Isabelle 46,163
- Imogen 33,758
- Ivy 23,306
- Isabel 20,895
- Isobel 19,706
- Iris 10,353
- India 8,371
- Iqra 4,452
- Indie 3,873
- Iona 3,682
FAQ
Inge: questions and answers
How popular is the name Inge in the UK right now?
In 2005, Inge was ranked #4798 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Inge most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 3 babies registered as Inge in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Inge?
A feminine name of Scandinavian origin meaning "beautiful" or "protected".
How many people are called Inge in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Inge across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.