Ingela
Fact sheet
- Name
- Ingela
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 3
Ingela is often understood as an independent short form of names that begin with 'Ing-', such as Ingeborg and Ingrid. The girl's name means 'dedicated to Ingwio', 'protection by Ingwio', or more freely interpreted as 'the protected one', 'the guardian', and 'the goddess'. This derivation traces back to the Germanic tribal god Ingi/Ingwi, who was revered as the protector of the Ingvaeones as well as the North and North Sea Germanic tribes (Saxons, Angles, Frisians).
What does the name Ingela mean?
The name Ingela is regarded as an independent short form of names that begin with 'Ing-', particularly Ingeborg and Ingrid. The meaning of the girl's name includes 'dedicated to Ingwio', 'protection by Ingwio', or can also be interpreted as 'the protected one', 'the guardian', and 'the goddess'. It is derived from the Germanic tribal god Ingi/Ingwi, who is considered the protector of the Ingvaeones as well as the North and North Sea Germans. The origin of the name is anchored in the Old High German term ingi, ingwio, or ingwaz, which means 'name of a god' (linked to the Germanic fertility god Ingwi). Additionally, Ingela is also seen as a short form of names that begin with 'Engel-' and 'Ingel-'. Ingwi represents a significant mythological figure, likely the earlier name for the god Freyr, one of the central deities in ancient Norse paganism. Variants of the name include Inge, Inga, Inka, Inke, Inken, Ineke, Inneke, Ingke, Insa, Inse, Insea, and Ingola.
Where does the name Ingela come from?
The name Ingela has its roots in Old High German and means 'the protected one'.
How do you pronounce Ingela?
The sound and pronunciation of Ingela convey a calm, slightly elongated impression with a clear structure. The name is typically pronounced as 'In-ge-la' [ˈɪŋeːla], beginning with a darker, nasal-tinged onset. The open syllables promote a steady, flowing movement. Ingela radiates calmness and stability - soft, yet with a subtle, Nordic-influenced sound tranquility.
When is the name day of Ingela?
Ingela celebrates her name day on July 30 and October 25.
Popularity
In Germany, Ingela is considered a rare first name. It has not appeared in the German first name charts so far. In Austria, the name reached its highest ranking at 738th place in 1993. From 1984 to 2024, Ingela was given as a first name in Austria fewer than ten times, placing it at 7,542nd. In the last ten years, no child has been named this way.
Famous people
- Ingela Andersson (Swedish biathlete)
- Ingela Bruner (Swedish scientist)
- Ingela Forsman (composer from Sweden)
- Ingela Gathenhielm (privateer, shipowner, trader)
- Ingela Olsson (Swedish actress)
- Ingela Strandberg (Swedish writer)
Frequently asked questions about the name Ingela
What is the origin of the name Ingela?
The name Ingela has its roots in Old High German and comes from the term 'ingi', 'ingwio', or 'ingwaz', which means 'name of a god'. It is of Scandinavian origin and is widespread in various languages such as Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish.
What does the name Ingela mean?
Ingela is considered a short form of names that begin with 'Ing-' and means among other things 'dedicated to Ingwio', 'protection by Ingwio', as well as 'the protected one' or 'the goddess', derived from the Germanic tribal god Ingi.
How popular is the name Ingela?
The popularity of the name Ingela varies by region. In Scandinavian countries, it is traditionally common, while it is less prevalent in other parts of Europe.