Is Fiona classic or outdated?

Classic.

I'm surprised by how many people have said it's a classic name. To me, classic names are the kind you would come across in a Jane Austen or Victorian novel - Sophia, Charlotte etc.

Fiona seems very dated to me. It has connotations of a jolly hockey sticks, horsey gal who is known as Fi for short.

I've been teaching for about 35 years and haven't taught a Fiona or known of one at my school.

I've never really liked the sound of it, but I don't necessarily think it's outdated.

its quite a 60s and 70s name, I would try and go a bit more modern. It’s definitely not a classic. Classics are Charlotte, Anna, Sophie, Elizabeth etc, where you can’t put an age range on the name. Most Fiona’s are aged 50/60s now.

Would not say it is classic, nor particularly elegant really. Most Fiona's are in their 50s now so it is probably a little dated but not grannyish (yet anyway).
But it's a fine name and quite refreshing for a child today. I think of Scottish origin from the Irish boys name Fionn, meaning "fair".

Names tend to have longer to cycle back as parents use their grandparents and great grandparents names. That's why we currently have a resurgence of Elsie and Mabel type names. I would expect Susan and Linda type names to be the next round, when today's teens have children. Then onto Fiona, Claire and Louise significantly after.

So if you use it, it won't be a common name, but everyone will know how to pronounce it.

I think it does feel dated, and because it’s rarely used these days the Shrek association is strong. I don’t think my teen daughter would have thanked me for calling her Fiona.

I wouldn’t say it’s a classic. But if you like it, go for it!!

Classic and Fi is a great nn, quite posh!

Whilst it's not a name I personally like, I find it perfectly acceptable. I wouldn't describe it as classic, and it probably is quite dated now (as in, hardly heard of these days). I would much rather meet a little Fiona though, than some of the monstrosities some people call their children these days. Better to go for something dated but well recognised as a name, rather than something faddy and celebrity-esque.

If you both love it, that's all that matters.

I’m in my 50s and at one stage I had 3 other Fiona’s in the same class as me! None of us are Scottish though!

I think it’s a good choice. It’s a nice normal recognisable name but very unusual in that age group and she is unlikely to come across kids at school etc with the same name.
I also don’t think the Shrek connection is a big deal at all. Shrek came out 24 years ago and it’s really not a big thing with my kids or any of their friends at all. I don’t think they would even make the connection.

I'm with you @Lucyyyy133 , I paid little attention to Shrek, so no preconceived opinions about the name Fiona.
I've never met anyone named Fiona , but I've always liked the name. It's a pretty name for a little girl and a very nice name for an adult too.
I guess I would call it a classic name and I think you should definitely go with it!

I wouldn't consider it classic, elegant or outdated. It's like Helen or Angela. Just a name. I don't like or dislike it, not that my opinion matters. Choose a name you love.

They're still making Shrek movies, though, so that would be quite a current reference. Just in case you were unaware as you said you haven't watched them.

It’s a lovely name and not likely to be over used or trendy. There are so many names around that conform to a recognisable theme but Fiona stands out on its own. Good choice OP!

Well yes, but you know how cruel kids can be! She was an ogre after all! It’s really only older teenagers and adults that are more likely to mak a positive association as they ‘get’ that she is a sassy empowered character imo.

Just my opinion since you asked and also added to that the only Fiona I’ve ever known was in her 60s and not a nice person so I’m definitely not voting it up! 😅

It's not a classic name as in it doesn't fit the specific definition of classic (biblical/royal/Shakespearean/classical/used regularly for centuries etc) but it's certainly a traditional name

For what it's worth, I think it's beautiful.

A bit dated, but I don’t dislike it. I know ones ranging from their 20’s to 50’s and it’s not at all a bad name, just not one I think of as a classic.

Classic names to me are ones that either have classical origins (hence the name) or lots of prominent historical figures with the name - and I can’t really say many spring to mind for Fiona the way they do Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine etc. Doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with it, it’s just not exactly my taste.

Fiona is wonderful.

I think it’s really outdated. The youngest one I know is about 30 and she thinks it’s outdated for her age.

It’s interesting because if I hear it with a Scottish accent I don’t mind it.

In RP it gets a very drawn out vowel sound, hence the siren simile.

Thank goodness I’ve never heard it in a very drawled American accent: I bet that would be even more accentuated.

But if you are Scottish op it will probably be fine.

This. I am Scottish!

Dated unless you're Scottish!

I love it, it was high on our list.

I’m definitely in the classic/ boring camp when it comes to names, but I’ve never liked Fiona.

I hear a really whiny, whingy sound in it like a Parisian fire engine: Feeeee- OOooooow-naaaah.

It’s also not helped by the fact a Fiona I went to school with had to give a speech in front of the class and only managed to stand up front and emit a series of perfectly audible nervous farts and not much else.

But that’s a very personal and idiosyncratic association I admit.