How to say it
fi · O · na
fiˈoʊ.nə
Feminine
Fiona
Fair, white
What it means
A Scottish name from the Gaelic fionn, 'fair' or 'white.'
Fiona comes from the Gaelic fionn, 'fair' or 'white,' and was popularized by the 18th-century Scottish poet James Macpherson. It feels both misty-Highland and fresh, helped along by Princess Fiona of Shrek and musician Fiona Apple. It pairs with the boy's name Finn, which shares the root. Bright and lilting. Said fee-OH-nuh.
How to spell Fiona
The standard spelling is Fiona. Common variants include Fionna, Ffion, Fíona, but Fiona is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #180 in 2017, currently #470 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Shares the 'fair' root with Finn.
- Pop culture
Princess Fiona of Shrek; musician Fiona Apple.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Fiona Apple American singer-songwriter
- Princess Fiona leading character in the Shrek animated films
Spelling variants
- Fionna
- Ffion
- Fíona
Names with the same feeling
See Fiona from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Fiona mean?
- A Scottish name from the Gaelic fionn, 'fair' or 'white.'
- What does Fiona mean in Scottish?
- In Scottish, Fiona means "Fair, white." Fiona comes from the Gaelic fionn, 'fair' or 'white,' and was popularized by the 18th-century Scottish poet James Macpherson. It feels both misty-Highland and fresh, helped along by Princess Fiona of Shrek and musician Fiona Apple. It pairs with the boy's name Finn, which shares the root. Bright and lilting. Said fee-OH-nuh.
- How do you pronounce Fiona?
- Fiona is pronounced fiˈoʊ.nə. Say it as fi-O-na, with the stress on the "o" syllable.
- How do you spell Fiona?
- The standard spelling is Fiona. Common spelling variants include Fionna, Ffion, Fíona.
- Is Fiona a boy or girl name?
- Fiona is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Fiona?
- Fiona ranked #470 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.