Inge

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Inge

Pronounced ING-uh /ˈɪŋ.ə/Medium

Meaning: Inge is a German and Scandinavian name derived from Ing (or Yngvi), an old Norse fertility god, and used as a short form of longer Ing- names such as Ingrid and Ingeborg. It was carried to America by German and Scandinavian families.Medium

In 30 seconds: Inge is a German and Scandinavian name from the Norse god Ing, short for names like Ingrid. It saw faint use around 1967 (said 'ING-uh').

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumGerman, Scandinavian, Norse

MeaningInge is a German and Scandinavian name derived from Ing (or Yngvi), an old Norse fertility god, and used as a short form of longer Ing- names such as Ingrid and Ingeborg. It was carried to America by German and Scandinavian families.

U.S. rank (2021)#16173 ↗ Rising

2021 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1967

Total births (all-time)≈ 717

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Inge comes from Ing, an old Norse god, and serves as a short form of Ing- names like Ingrid and Ingeborg. It reached American records through German and Scandinavian immigrant families.

It was always uncommon in American records - only a few dozen girls a year around its 1967 high point - carried mainly within heritage families. It reads as a crisp Northern European name.

Did you know? The Ing behind Inge names a Norse god of fertility and peace, whose name also survives in Ingrid, Ingeborg, and even the region of Angeln.

Overall data confidence 65%

References - Inge — from Ing (Norse god); short for Ingrid/Ingeborg

Variations

IngaIngeborgIngrid

Nicknames

Inga

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Inge…

Inga— a near-identical Scandinavian spelling

Ingrid— a fuller Ing- name Inge shortens

Ingeborg— another Ing- name behind the short form

Greta— a comparable Northern European heritage name

Explore names like Inge

By themeheritage german scandinavian

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Inge mean?

Inge is a German and Scandinavian name from Ing, a Norse god, and short for names like Ingrid.

How do you pronounce Inge?

It's said ING-uh /ˈɪŋ.ə/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Inge a boy or girl name?

Inge is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Inge?

Inge has always been rare in American records, a Northern European heritage name.