Let’s suppose that you’re expecting a new baby girl in 2008, and you’ve always liked Sophia. But you’ve just learned that Sophia cracked the Top 10 last year, and shows no signs of slowing down. If you call your new little dear by this pretty and meaningful name, she may very well be one of three Sophias in her kindergarten.

What’s an expectant parent to do?

There are several possible alternatives to the graceful, smart Sophia, and today I’d like to suggest that you take a good, hard look at Fiona.

The name conjures up the British Isles. It’s a Celtic import, thought to mean “fair.” But the name has pop culture legs. It’s the given name of songstress Fiona Apple. She’s a character of divided loyalties in the Lemony Snicket books. And, of course, Fiona is also the Cameron-Diaz-voiced-princess who falls for Shrek.

If naming your daughter after an ogress gives you pause, I must say that the character of Princess Fiona is thoroughly lovable. She’s loyal, strong and decisive, and while during the first film she waxes poetic about being rescued, it doesn’t take long before this Princess proves that she’s more than just a pretty face in a tiara. Yes, she’s pea soup green and bulky … but she’s also a hero in her own right, and there are precious few names for girls that reflect strength and courage.

If there’s any drawback to this playful, feminine name, it’s the lack of any easy nickname. Fi – usually pronounced “fee” – is a great choice for an older girl, but not the cutesy-coo option many parents imagine for their infant.

And yet, Fiona remains a great alternative for parents who love Sophia, Olivia and other feminine, classic names but would rather not have their daughter be one in a crowd. It barely cracked the Top 1000 for most of the 1990s. And while it is gaining in recent years, it remains a familiar, but underused, choice at #333 last year.

All of this makes Fiona one to watch for 2010 – and one to consider if you’re name-shopping.

About Abby Sandel

Whether you're naming a baby, or just all about names, you've come to the right place! Appellation Mountain is a haven for lovers of obscure gems and enduring classics alike.

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11 Comments

  1. Okay, this is such an old post, but I’m reading it and commenting anyway. My daughter (due in 3 weeks!) will be named Fiona Linet. (pronounced Linnea). I love all the nicknames, Fiona is a fabulous name!

  2. I’m late in posting this but just wanted to suggest Fio as a nickname for Fiona. If I were to name a baby girl with “Fiona” it would be Chloe Fiona.

  3. Fiona was my favorite name when I was in fourth grade! I’ve considered it, but I never want my kid to be called Fifi, and my boyfriend and I are both frecklefaces, which would just be a little too clich

  4. How about Fin or Fifi as nicknames?

    Fiona is on our short list for girls; one that my husband actually likes. I do worry a bit about my daughter disliking being named after the Shrek character, though, and that is my one hesitation. While I know that these things are temporary, I also know how traumatic such a thing can be for a little person. We have 7 more months, so we’ll probably debate this one up until the end.

  5. Olympia! That’s quite the name – very pretty. Pearl seems to be surfacing more and more these days. It’s not a personal favorite, but it is an interesting choice in the middle spot.

  6. Oh, Caspian Archer – that’s really lovely! And pairs beautifully with Fiona Ariadne.

    Thanks for the update, Corinne.

  7. Fiona’s mom went into labor last night and we just received the email announcement of her little boy! Caspian Archer was born at 4:09 this morning to Claira and Jeremy. He weighs 7 lbs. 11 oz. and is 23 inches long. He joins big sister Fiona Ariadne, age 5.

    I literally swooned over the fact that I now know a little Caspian! And with Archer it’s even BETTER! And we never knew that Fi’s mn was Ariadne. I have newfound respect for Claira, these kids are GORGEOUSLY named!

  8. You’ll have to write back and tell us what Fiona’s little sib is named! Is Vera your daughter? That’s another daring, darling name.

  9. My daughter Veronica has a best friend named Fiona who goes by Fina as more of a pet name than a nickname, but it suits her very well. I definitely think this is one to look out for in the next 10 years or so, but I definitely love it now! In Vera’s class Fina’s mom is the one to watch for the next new name (she’s uaving another one in 2 months).