Is Fiona classic or outdated?

[Lucyyyy133]

Hi everyone!
I’m expecting my first daughter next month, and my husband and I have decided to name her Fiona.
I know it’s not a super trendy or common name these days, so I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Does Fiona come across to you as a classic and elegant name, or does it feel more outdated or “granny-ish”?

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!

I wouldn't consider it classic, elegant or outdated.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.

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 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 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!

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.

Classic and Fi is a great nn, quite posh!

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

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.

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".

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.

I've never really liked the sound of it, but I don't necessarily think it's outdated.

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.

Classic.

Okay so while it doesn’t really bother me, I get that a lot of people think Fiona is a bit dated.
I guess I’m starting to realize that I probably should think more carefully about the risk of naming a baby after (or overlapping with) a major character from an old or new movie.

But then again, even if we had chosen something like Lily, who’s to say some company won’t release an AI assistant called LILY in the future, or that a new show won’t have a mean or annoying character with that name? 😩

Naming a baby is turning out to be way more pressure than I expected!

I love Fiona. It probably is a bit dated in England but it has a similar feel to names like Mia, Isla, iona, sienna etc which are still popular found here. It's not like Janet or Lorraine which have a different feel.

I am Scottish which might be making me hear it different

Agree. Lovely name

Oi! There were a fair few around when I was at school at we're 40s not 50s.

I think it's pretty classic. Not too frumpy, not twee, pretty solid. I've never been in love with my name but nor do I hate it. Princess Fiona came up a fair bit approx 20 years ago when I was teaching abroad but Shrek isn't exactly current and doesn't have the same sort of following Frozen has for your Elsas of the world so unlikely to be a problem.

50 year old lady, sorry.

How about Fenna 🙂 it's similar to Fiona but a bit fresher. Fiona is also lovely and you should go with whatever you like x

It’s a classic. Out of fashion at the moment but not dated.

It’s a good choice, will sound very fresh and original to her peers. It’ll be properly revived in 10 or 20 years, which means she’ll have a young persons name when she’s middle aged, which she’ll probably like.

I’ve never heard that name before, sounds to easy to mishear as Tena (lady) though

That was 20 years ago though.

It's Dutch but having a small surge in the UK. My DD is called it and I get lots of compliments 🙂 I don't think it's any closer to Tena than Jenna or Sienna etc. xx