What does Fiona mean?
From the Gaelic fionn, “fair” or “white,” coined by the poet James Macpherson.
What does Iona mean?
Iona is the name of a sacred Hebridean island, a cradle of Celtic Christianity.
Fiona vs Iona
Which is more popular?
Fiona is more popular than Iona today: about 654 US babies were given the name Fiona in 2025, compared with 65 named Iona.
| Fiona | Iona | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Fair, white | Island |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | fee-OH-nuh | eye-OH-nah |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1942 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2017 (1,683) | 1918 (404) |
| In 2025 | 654 | 65 |
| Trend | Steady | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Fiona
Iona
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Fiona | Iona |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5,251 | 376 |
| 2010s | 14,669 | 543 |
| 2000s | 8,778 | 305 |
| 1990s | 3,133 | 126 |
| 1980s | 955 | 139 |
| 1970s | 597 | 198 |
| 1960s | 438 | 290 |
| 1950s | 91 | 610 |
| 1940s | 47 | 887 |
| 1930s | 0 | 1,747 |
| 1920s | 0 | 3,151 |
| 1910s | 0 | 2,362 |
| 1900s | 0 | 838 |
| 1890s | 0 | 455 |
| 1880s | 0 | 224 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Fiona or Iona more popular?
Fiona is more popular than Iona today: about 654 US babies were given the name Fiona in 2025, compared with 65 named Iona.
What is the difference between Fiona and Iona?
Fiona means Fair, white (Scottish origin), while Iona means Island (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Fiona or Iona?
In US records, Fiona first appears in 1942 and Iona in 1880, so Iona has the longer recorded history.