Inga is a female given name of Scandinavian origin. It comes from the Old Norse word "Inga," which means "belonging to Ing." Ing was a legendary hero and god in Norse mythology, and many names derived from him were quite popular among the Vikings.
The name Inga gained popularity during the Middle Ages when it was used by several historical figures. One of them is Saint Inga of Skiringssal, who lived in Norway around 1000 AD. She was known for her piety and generosity towards the poor, and she became revered as a saint after her death.
Today, Inga remains a popular name in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. It has also gained international recognition due to its appealing sound and simple spelling. Although it may not be as common as some other names, Inga still carries a strong connection to ancient Norse history and culture.
In recent years, the name Inga has been featured in popular media such as books and movies, which has contributed to its growing popularity worldwide. Despite this increased exposure, however, Inga retains an air of uniqueness and distinctiveness that sets it apart from other names. Overall, Inga is a compelling choice for parents seeking a strong yet uncommon name for their daughter with roots deep in Scandinavian mythology and history.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Inga has seen varying levels of popularity in the United States over the past century and a half. From 1880 to 1968, there were fewer than 60 births per year with the name Inga, with some years seeing as few as 8 births.
However, starting in 1969, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Inga, with 115 births that year. This trend continued into the 1970s and early 1980s, with an average of around 40-60 births per year during this period.
From the mid-1980s onwards, the popularity of the name Inga began to decline again, with fewer than 30 births per year on average from 1985 to 2020. The most recent data available shows that there were 23 births with the name Inga in both 2021 and 2022.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Inga has fluctuated over time, it has remained a relatively uncommon name in the United States throughout its history.