Fiona
Fiona is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Fair, white, or clear.
Origin and history
Fiona is a modern Gaelic name created by the Scottish poet James Macpherson in the 18th century from the word 'fionn'. It gained widespread popularity in the English-speaking world in the 20th century. In the United States, it remains a well-known and consistently popular choice for girls.
Popularity in the United States
33,959 babies in the United States have been named Fiona since 1880. It ranks #765 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #355.
States where it is most popular
- CA (15.1 %)
- NY (12.3 %)
- IL (6 %)
- MA (5.8 %)
- PA (5.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 47 |
| 1950-1960 | 91 |
| 1960-1970 | 438 |
| 1970-1980 | 597 |
| 1980-1990 | 955 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,133 |
| 2000-2010 | 8,778 |
| 2010-2019 | 14,669 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,251 |
Famous people named Fiona
- Fiona Apple: Singer, Songwriter
- Fiona Shaw: Actress, Director
- Fiona Gubelmann: Actress
Nicknames
Fi, Fifi
Fun facts
- The name was first introduced by Scottish author James Macpherson under the pen name Ossian in his 18th-century poems.
- The name gained global cultural awareness through Princess Fiona, a lead character in the animated Shrek franchise.