There's a story here. When I lived in Scotland, I was in a sort of Big Sisters-type relationship with a young woman called Fiona. She hated me. I did the best I could, but at the end of the day, her hating me caused a lot of stress in my life, because I was 21 years old, wanted the whole world to like me, and didn't know how to handle such strong dislike. If I had done something horrible to her, then the hatred would have been understandable, but I had not. So, stress.
On top of that, around that time we got a new phone line, and when the nice woman on the other end asked my first initial, I said, "S, like Susan", except she heard "F". There must be quite a contingent of people in Scotland called Fuzan-- that's the only explanation I have for the misunderstanding. So, every time the phone bill came addressed to "F", I got a little more angsty, because it reminded me that someone who really had the initial "F" was causing me stress. It's the small things that make me the loony person that I am.
If you're called Fiona, I promise you don't need to skulk off. I don't automatically hate everyone called Fiona-- I do some ridiculous things, certainly, but I'm not that ridiculous. So, in an attempt to cure my irrational hatred of the name "Fiona", I did some research.
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| Fiona & Tommy in Brigadoon. Source. |
Feminine form of the Scottish name Fionn, meaning "fair-skinned". Currently ranked #257th for girls in the U.S.
Famous Fionas: Fiona Mackenzie (Scottish Gaelic singer), Fiona May (Olympic long jumper). Julia Roberts' middle name is Fiona.
Fictional Fionas: Fiona Fox (Sonic the Hedgehog), Fiona Glenanne (Burn Notice), Fiona McLaren (Brigadoon)
My Fionas: None! Eventually, the Fiona who hated me asserted her independence from our whatever it was and refused to talk to me ever again. I've not known another Fiona since, nor have I used the name in my writing.
How do you feel about the name Fiona? Do you have a burning desire to point out that I missed an obvious Fiona in my list? (I did it on purpose.)
Sources:
Behind the Name
Baby Name Wizard
Parents Connect
10 comments:
It's a pretty name but every time I hear it I think of Shrek.
An interesting post.I had a ex called Fiona so I share your contempt for the name lol
Here's my F post:
http://jackedwardspoetry.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/f-free-verse-daydream.html
I'm like the first commentator, I think of Shrek. But you went through a really rough patch with that Fiona witch. I wouldn't like the name either.
You missed the singer Fiona Apple. And - probably obviously - I love the name Fiona.
I love Burn Notice. I have no negative associations associated with the name (although, I know what you mean. I have a couple names like that myself). I kind of like it.
Hello Su,
Great post, I think I just found my new favorite blog. Love the way you write!
I myself am not a fan of the name Fiona either. I always think of the nickname FiFi, like a spoiled French poodle (I hope you do not own a poodle, or if you do then at least her name is not Fiona?!).
I discovered your site through the A to Z Challenge and am now a follower, but not in a stalker-ish way with binoculars and night vision goggles or anything like that ….
Feel free to take a peek at my blog too if you have time. I write humor, and people tell me I’m funny (maybe it’s just the voices in my head, that’s what the doctor told me this last time when he upped my meds again).
http://mothersofbrothersblog.blogspot.com
best,
MOV
I personally love the name Fiona, but I know exactly where you're coming from. I knew an odious excuse for a human named Elise, and now I can't stand that name. It makes me want to punch things when I hear it haha
@Delores: Yep, that's the one I left off! I HATE those movies.
@Jack: Oh, dear.
@Kittie: Yeah. She was a teenager, but good grief. Not a fun time.
@Grahame: Ah, yes, I have heard of her. :) And your Fiona makes me like the name much more, even though I've never met her!
@Liz: Chad loves Burn Notice, but I only watch it on an incidental basis.
@MOV: Hee hee, well, this comment is pretty funny! :)
@Meika: So frustrating how an innocent name can have such negative emotions!
My foster kids loved to watch Shrek over and over and so of course that is what I think about when I hear that name.
Sometimes evil people ruin names for us. There are about 50 names I don't like haha!
I like the name Fiona, but I've never known a single person in real life with that name. How interesting.
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