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Fiona

♀ Girl

Pronounced fee-OH-nah /fiˈoʊ.nə/High

Meaning: From Scottish Gaelic 'fionn' meaning white or fair; coined or popularized as a given name by Scottish poet James Macpherson in his Ossian poems (1760s) and by novelist William Sharp (as Fiona Macleod)High

In 30 seconds: Fiona is a lovely Scottish name meaning 'white' or 'fair,' created or popularized by Romantic-era poets. With its Celtic freshness and melodic three-syllable flow, it has become a widely loved name worldwide.
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Origin HighScottish Gaelic, Irish
MeaningFrom Scottish Gaelic 'fionn' meaning white or fair; coined or popularized as a given name by Scottish poet James Macpherson in his Ossian poems (1760s) and by novelist William Sharp (as Fiona Macleod)
U.S. rank (2025)#470 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births654 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 33,950

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719422025

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

History & Origin

Fiona is based on the Scottish Gaelic word fionn, meaning white or fair. While the root is ancient, the name as a given name appears to have been first used in the literary context — either coined by Macpherson for his Ossian poems or formalized by William Sharp in the 1890s. The name then entered broader use in Scotland and Ireland.

Fiona spread throughout the English-speaking world in the 20th century, becoming particularly popular in Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and the United States. The DreamWorks film Shrek (2001) featured Princess Fiona as a central character, bringing the name to a new generation. It now ranks in the U.S. top 200 girls' names.

Did you know? The name Fiona was popularized — possibly even coined — by Scottish writer James Macpherson in his controversial 1760s Ossian poems, and later by William Sharp who wrote under the female pseudonym Fiona Macleod. It is one of the few names with a documented literary invention story.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Fiona — etymology and literary historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

FionnaFfion

Nicknames

FiFifi

Famous Bearers

  • ★Princess Fiona
    Fictional princess in the DreamWorks Shrek franchise
  • ★Fiona Macleod (William Sharp) (1855–1905)
    Pseudonym of Scottish writer William Sharp (1855–1905)

If you like Fiona…

Nora— shares the Celtic heritage and the same gentle, classic feminine quality
Aoife— the Irish Gaelic counterpart with the same Irish-Scottish Celtic root
Caoimhe— shares the Gaelic white/beautiful meaning and Celtic heritage
Siobhan

Frequently Asked

What does Fiona mean?

Fiona means 'white' or 'fair,' from Scottish Gaelic 'fionn.' The name was popularized by Romantic-era Scottish poets drawing on this ancient root.

How do you pronounce Fiona?

Fiona is pronounced fee-OH-nah /fiˈoʊ.nə/ — three syllables with stress on the second.

Did someone invent the name Fiona?

Possibly. James Macpherson may have created it for his Ossian poems in the 1760s, and writer William Sharp used 'Fiona Macleod' as a pseudonym. Fiona has one of the most documented literary origin stories of any name.

Is Fiona a popular name?

Fiona ranks in the U.S. top 200 girls' names and is popular in Scotland, Ireland, and Australia. The Shrek franchise helped maintain its visibility worldwide.