What does Fiona mean?
From the Gaelic fionn, “fair” or “white,” coined by the poet James Macpherson.
What does Kirsty mean?
Kirsty is a Scottish form of Christine, “follower of Christ.”
Fiona vs Kirsty
Which is more popular?
Fiona is more popular than Kirsty today: about 654 US babies were given the name Fiona in 2025, compared with 0 named Kirsty.
| Fiona | Kirsty | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Fair, white | Follower of Christ |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | fee-OH-nuh | KEER-stee |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1942 | 1961 |
| Peak year | 2017 (1,683) | 1991 (99) |
| In 2025 | 654 | 0 |
| Trend | Steady | Vintage |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Fiona
Kirsty
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Fiona | Kirsty |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5,251 | 0 |
| 2010s | 14,669 | 10 |
| 2000s | 8,778 | 81 |
| 1990s | 3,133 | 508 |
| 1980s | 955 | 179 |
| 1970s | 597 | 130 |
| 1960s | 438 | 37 |
| 1950s | 91 | 0 |
| 1940s | 47 | 0 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Fiona or Kirsty more popular?
Fiona is more popular than Kirsty today: about 654 US babies were given the name Fiona in 2025, compared with 0 named Kirsty.
What is the difference between Fiona and Kirsty?
Fiona means Fair, white (Scottish origin), while Kirsty means Follower of Christ (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Fiona or Kirsty?
In US records, Fiona first appears in 1942 and Kirsty in 1961, so Fiona has the longer recorded history.