What does Skye mean?
Skye takes its name from the Isle of Skye, and echoes the English word “sky.”
What does Fiona mean?
From the Gaelic fionn, “fair” or “white,” coined by the poet James Macpherson.
Skye vs Fiona
Which is more popular?
Fiona is more popular than Skye today: about 654 US babies were given the name Fiona in 2025, compared with 569 named Skye.
| Skye | Fiona | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Isle of Skye; sky | Fair, white |
| Origin | Scottish | Scottish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | SKY | fee-OH-nuh |
| Syllables | 1 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1952 | 1942 |
| Peak year | 2014 (887) | 2017 (1,683) |
| In 2025 | 569 | 654 |
| Trend | Steady | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Skye
Fiona
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Skye | Fiona |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 4,061 | 5,251 |
| 2010s | 7,453 | 14,669 |
| 2000s | 6,708 | 8,778 |
| 1990s | 3,852 | 3,133 |
| 1980s | 1,440 | 955 |
| 1970s | 635 | 597 |
| 1960s | 56 | 438 |
| 1950s | 57 | 91 |
| 1940s | 0 | 47 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Skye or Fiona more popular?
Fiona is more popular than Skye today: about 654 US babies were given the name Fiona in 2025, compared with 569 named Skye.
What is the difference between Skye and Fiona?
Skye means Isle of Skye; sky (Scottish origin), while Fiona means Fair, white (Scottish origin).
Which name is older, Skye or Fiona?
In US records, Skye first appears in 1952 and Fiona in 1942, so Fiona has the longer recorded history.