Inger
A diminutive form of the Scandinavian feminine name Ingrid meaning "beautiful."
Name Census estimates that about 972 living Americans carry the first name Inger. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Inger today is around 58 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Inger births was 1966 (118 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Inger. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
972
~ 1 in 352,628 Americans
Peak year
1966
118 babies that year
Average age
58
years old
1986 SSA rank
#11,581
Tracked since 1888
Popularity
Inger: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Inger from the 1880s through to the 1980s, spanning 11 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1960s, with 627 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1960s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Inger by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Inger during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Ingers live
The SSA's state-level files cover 16 states and territories. California, New York, Michigan recorded the most babies named Inger, while Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 24 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Inger
The name Inger is a feminine given name of Scandinavian origin, predominantly found in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It is derived from the Old Norse name Yngvildr, which is composed of the elements "yngvi" meaning "vigor, youth" and "hildr" meaning "battle." The name was popular during the Viking Age and the Middle Ages in Scandinavia.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Inger dates back to the 13th century, when it was mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of historical and literary works from medieval Iceland. The name was also found in various medieval Scandinavian records and manuscripts.
In Denmark, the name Inger has a long and rich history, with several notable individuals bearing this name throughout the centuries. One of the earliest known examples is Inger Ottesdatter, a Danish noblewoman who lived in the 15th century and was involved in a power struggle within the Danish nobility.
During the 16th century, Inger Oxe was a prominent figure in Danish history. Born in 1542, she was a wealthy landowner and a respected woman of her time, known for her strong personality and influence in political affairs.
Another notable figure is Inger Christensen, a celebrated Danish writer and poet who lived from 1935 to 2009. Her works, including the renowned poetry collection "Alphabet," have been widely acclaimed and translated into numerous languages.
In Norway, the name Inger has been equally popular throughout history. One of the earliest recorded instances is Inger Eriksdatter, a Norwegian noblewoman who lived in the 13th century and was involved in various political conflicts during the Norwegian civil wars.
Inger Stevens, born in 1934 and died in 1970, was a Swedish-American actress and author. She had a successful career in both films and television, and is remembered for her roles in classics such as "The Farmer's Daughter" and "A Guide for the Married Man."
Inger Lise Stølen, born in 1942, is a Norwegian politician and former leader of the Norwegian Red Electoral Alliance. She played a significant role in Norwegian politics during the latter part of the 20th century.
While the name Inger has a rich historical background, it is important to note that these examples are not comprehensive, and there may be other notable individuals bearing this name throughout history. The name continues to be popular in Scandinavia and is often associated with the region's cultural and historical heritage.
People
Inger + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Inger as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with I
Other first names starting with I with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Inger: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Inger?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 972 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Inger going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 352,628 US residents.
Is Inger a common name?
We classify Inger as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,367 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Inger most popular?
The single biggest year for Inger was 1966, when 118 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Inger is about 58 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Inger a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Inger in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.