What does Fiona mean?
From the Gaelic fionn, “fair” or “white,” coined by the poet James Macpherson.
What does Elspeth mean?
Elspeth is the Scottish form of Elizabeth, “God is my oath.”
Fiona vs Elspeth
Which is more popular?
Fiona is more popular than Elspeth today: about 654 US babies were given the name Fiona in 2025, compared with 14 named Elspeth.
| Fiona | Elspeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Fair, white | God is my oath |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | fee-OH-nuh | EL-speth |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1942 | 1914 |
| Peak year | 2017 (1,683) | 1984 (39) |
| In 2025 | 654 | 14 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Fiona
Elspeth
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Fiona | Elspeth |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5,251 | 104 |
| 2010s | 14,669 | 164 |
| 2000s | 8,778 | 125 |
| 1990s | 3,133 | 105 |
| 1980s | 955 | 240 |
| 1970s | 597 | 36 |
| 1960s | 438 | 26 |
| 1950s | 91 | 33 |
| 1940s | 47 | 27 |
| 1930s | 0 | 18 |
| 1920s | 0 | 25 |
| 1910s | 0 | 16 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Fiona or Elspeth more popular?
Fiona is more popular than Elspeth today: about 654 US babies were given the name Fiona in 2025, compared with 14 named Elspeth.
What is the difference between Fiona and Elspeth?
Fiona means Fair, white (Scottish origin), while Elspeth means God is my oath (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Fiona or Elspeth?
In US records, Fiona first appears in 1942 and Elspeth in 1914, so Elspeth has the longer recorded history.