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Help[Facts] Usage of 'Ingrid' in Latin America
I've noticed that Ingrid is a fairly common name in many different countries in Latin America -- particularly South America, but also Central. This wouldn't be of interest to me if the Ingrids I've noticed seemed primarily to be of Northern European descent, but this not the case; many are of primarily indigenous/partially Spanish or Portuguese descent. Can anyone give perspective as to why? I know that many Northern Europeans (particularly Germans) did settle in South America and used names from their homelands, so Ingrid would not be unknown... but I'm wondering why it's appealing to those outside of Northern European descent. Is it the sound? Is it a regional famous figure or character I'm unfamiliar with?
I wish that I had usage statistics, but if you're able to respond it's presumably because you've noticed the same thing, that there are indeed many Ingrids in countries south of the US.
As someone considering using the name for a someday child that does have Northern European heritage but is decidedly darker-looking than the classic blonde image of an Ingrid, I do love seeing the name on people with more melanin... I'm just curious where the usage comes from! Any insights?
I wish that I had usage statistics, but if you're able to respond it's presumably because you've noticed the same thing, that there are indeed many Ingrids in countries south of the US.
As someone considering using the name for a someday child that does have Northern European heritage but is decidedly darker-looking than the classic blonde image of an Ingrid, I do love seeing the name on people with more melanin... I'm just curious where the usage comes from! Any insights?
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Just ran across this -- I wrote a column on Ingrid back in August:
http://www.omaha.com/living/evans-here-s-looking-at-you-kid-and-ingrids-everywhere/article_1374effe-e205-5fb4-9b92-1495222421d6.html
As you can see from the above Ingrid Bergman was largely responsible for the name's popularity in the United States as well as Latin America. Ingrid Bergman was one of the first internationally famous movie stars and so had a huge impact on this name in many parts of the world.
http://www.omaha.com/living/evans-here-s-looking-at-you-kid-and-ingrids-everywhere/article_1374effe-e205-5fb4-9b92-1495222421d6.html
As you can see from the above Ingrid Bergman was largely responsible for the name's popularity in the United States as well as Latin America. Ingrid Bergman was one of the first internationally famous movie stars and so had a huge impact on this name in many parts of the world.
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Latin America is a melting pot of many different cultures, so we don't always use names that are Spanish or Portuguese. I know three Brazilian girls named Ingrid and none of them are Northern European (all three have Portuguese surnames - two of them are white and the other one is mulatto).
One possible source for Ingrid's usage in Latin America might be actress Ingrid Bergman, who was very famous internationally.
Also, not all Swedes are blonde. Brown hair and red hair are common in Sweden too. (I've actually met a good amount of redheaded Scandinavians.) I kinda took offense to the last comment. It would be like someone telling me that I don't look like a Eugenio because I'm blond and fair-skinned instead of black-haired and olive-skinned.
One possible source for Ingrid's usage in Latin America might be actress Ingrid Bergman, who was very famous internationally.
Also, not all Swedes are blonde. Brown hair and red hair are common in Sweden too. (I've actually met a good amount of redheaded Scandinavians.) I kinda took offense to the last comment. It would be like someone telling me that I don't look like a Eugenio because I'm blond and fair-skinned instead of black-haired and olive-skinned.
This message was edited 3/9/2018, 2:38 PM
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I apologize for any offense I caused! In fact, of the handful of Scandinavians I've known personally, all but one has been dark-haired. I meant to reference a stereotype (that of the blonde blue-eyed Ingrid or Astrid or Elsa etc) rather than say it is entirely true. I'm just saying I'm happy to know of some dark-haired Ingrids. :)
Thanks for your perspective!
Thanks for your perspective!
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I'm not Latin American, but in the 20th century, the name Ingrid became well-known outside of Scandinavia thanks to world-famous celebrities, in particularly Ingrid Bergman — which explains its usage around the world. Other Scandinavian names that are also used internationally include Astrid, Axel, and Valdemar.
I imagine it'ss used in Latin America the same way it's used in the US, the UK, or France — it became part of the shared collection of "Western names" that are used across multiple languages and cultures, and regardless of ancestry, ethnicity or skin colour. Back in the day, names would spread to other "Western" cultures thanks to royals or saints, in more modern times literature, movies, and celebrities fulfill that role.
Personally, I wouldn't expect an Ingrid to look stereotypically Scandinavian, any more than I would expect an Olga to look stereotypically Russian or a Rita to look stereotypically Italian. It's a relatively common international "Western" name.
I imagine it'ss used in Latin America the same way it's used in the US, the UK, or France — it became part of the shared collection of "Western names" that are used across multiple languages and cultures, and regardless of ancestry, ethnicity or skin colour. Back in the day, names would spread to other "Western" cultures thanks to royals or saints, in more modern times literature, movies, and celebrities fulfill that role.
Personally, I wouldn't expect an Ingrid to look stereotypically Scandinavian, any more than I would expect an Olga to look stereotypically Russian or a Rita to look stereotypically Italian. It's a relatively common international "Western" name.
This message was edited 3/9/2018, 2:25 PM
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Thanks for your response! I didn't realize how distributed the name was -- would have thought it more strongly limited to Scandi/German heritage.
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