The nameFiona
Fiona is a girl's name of Scottish origin meaning "white, fair". Invented by a Scottish poet, it was made famous worldwide by Shrek.
- Girl's name
- Scottish
Meaning
Fiona comes from the Gaelic fionn, "white, fair, pale", the same word found in the name of the Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhaill.
Origin
Scottish. The Scottish poet James Macpherson used it in his Ossian poems, published in the 1760s and hugely successful across Europe. In the 19th century the writer William Sharp chose Fiona Macleod as his pen name, which spread the name further.
History
Fiona became a common name in Scotland and England in the 20th century, especially from the 1960s to the 1980s. Princess Fiona of the animated film Shrek (2001) gave it a new audience of children all over the world. It is also well liked in France, where it has been given since the 1990s.
Did you know?
- The Scottish writer William Sharp published part of his work under the female pen name Fiona Macleod.
Famous people named Fiona
- Fiona Apple, singer
- Fiona Shaw, actress
- Fiona Bruce, presenter
- Princess Fiona, Shrek character
Popularity of the name Fiona
Fiona in the United States
Fiona was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 14,667 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Fiona. Its rise began around 1990, and it peaked in 2017. Half of all babies named Fiona in the United States were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 918 births a year on average, against 1,480 in the five years before.
Fiona in the United Kingdom
Fiona was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 1,665 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Fiona. Half of all babies named Fiona in the United Kingdom were born before 2002. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 29 births a year on average, against 45 in the five years before.
Fiona in Ireland
Fiona in France
Fiona in Belgium
Fiona in Switzerland
Fiona in Austria
Sibling names for Fiona
Names from the same generation as Fiona, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Fiona? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Fiona with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Fiona side by side with the name of your choice.
Fiona in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fiona mean?
Fiona comes from the Gaelic fionn, "white, fair, pale", the same word found in the name of the Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhaill.
What is the origin of the name Fiona?
Scottish. The Scottish poet James Macpherson used it in his Ossian poems, published in the 1760s and hugely successful across Europe. In the 19th century the writer William Sharp chose Fiona Macleod as his pen name, which spread the name further.
Is Fiona a girl's or a boy's name?
Fiona is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Fiona?
In 2024, Fiona was the 405th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 782 births.
What are good sibling names for Fiona?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Annabelle, Reagan, Elise and Aliyah for a sister, Gunnar, Noel, Mohamed and Carson for a brother.
Who are famous people named Fiona?
Fiona Apple, singer; Fiona Shaw, actress; Fiona Bruce, presenter; Princess Fiona, Shrek character.