HONEST thoughts re: the name “Fiona”!

[SproutB]

This is it... My 1st official post on MDC—I have NO clue what took me so long! Ive been following along for a little while now, and have come to value not only your opinions, but also the kindness/respect extended toward others on the site (as compared to other parenting boards Ive visited!)

On to my question! DH REALLY likes “Fiona” for our Christmas baby (I do too). However, I find myself still struggling w/ the idea of naming our daughter the same as an ogre (think Shrek)- Princess or not! I told DH that most pubescent girls typically have enough self-esteem problems w/o being teased about having the same name as a chubby, green cartoon character. He thinks by the time the teasing could potentially affect our little chica, the movie will be forgotten.

I know, I know, kids can find anything to tease about! But, do you think the Shrek reference would be too easy of a target???

Honest opinions, please! Am I way over-thinking this (ie. go ahead and use a name we both love), or do you (especially those w/ grade school-aged kids) think the name should be scrapped to avoid name-calling?

Thanks so much for your help!
-BB

[honeybee]

Well, I don't think I would use it because of the Shrek reference. Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid were out when I was a teenager, and they're still very popular among the preschool set. I would imagine Shrek would have a similar shelf-life.

My objections, though, aren't so much about teasing worries. Fiona was a sympathetic character, and she was also a beautiful princess, not just an Ogre. I don't think that ogre-related teasing would be a problem.

I just don't like being associated with the marketing aspects of those movies. I wouldn't name a child Ariel or Belle, either.

[Scribe]

Welcome!

I like the name Fiona a lot, and I agree w/ your husband that Shrek will probably be forgotten by the time the little one is old enough to be teased. I say go for it.

[CatholicBFMama]

I didn't even think of Shrek when I saw the name Fiona. And I know that I'm not a pubescent little girl, but I agree with your husband. I don't think that by that time it will be a big deal. Kids' interests and entertainment changes so much that in 10 years most kids won't even know what Shrek is!

My husband doesn't want to name our baby Luke (if it's a boy) because of the Star Wars reference. I was like, "Babe, I wasn't even born when Star Wars came out! Do you really think a child born in 2010 will be all that familiar with Star Wars or even care?!"

[lizzylou]

I think it's a pretty name, regardless of it's Shrek association. I would use it. However... I think I am probably in the minority on this.

Shrek will probably have a very long shelf life, most of those movies do.

[bri276]

Shrek, Shrek, and more Shrek. that's all I can possibly think of. I severely doubt these movies will be forgotten within the next two decades- I wouldn't be surpised if there were 4th and 5th ones.

jmho.

I just don't like being associated with the marketing aspects of those movies. I wouldn't name a child Ariel or Belle, either.

exactly.

[AngelBee]

I love the name.

[casemnor]

Shrek is only a secondary thought for me. I think of all the lovely friends I've had named Fiona (it is a popular name through the UK and Australia). That being said, Fiona (in shrek) is a lovely character...who values more than skin deep beauty...not a bad legacy for a child to grow up with.

[Masel]

I admit I did think of Shrek movies first but we've watched all three in the past month. (DD calls Fiona "Ona".) I know lots of Fionas most of which came about well before the movie. According to social security name tracker it came into the top 1000 in 1990 and has been slowly gaining popularity ever since. It was ranked 352 last year.

Remember that Shrek came from Dreamworks not Disney and Fiona is somewhat of a anti-princess Princess. I love her and would happily name a daughter Fiona.

[townmouse]

I didn't think of Shrek. I love the name Fiona. :

[avivaelona]

I love the name Fiona, I didn't think of Shrek til you mentioned it, I think little girls think Fiona is cool no matter what the color of her skin and wouldn't tease based on that unless they were really hunting for something to pick on. And well, if kids are really looking for something they are going to find it no matter what.

Its not a totally uncommon name anyway, she may not be the only one in her school...the name is very popular in great britain and usually names that are wind their way up the charts here a little more slowly but still get there.

ETA if you like Fiona but want something unshreky and a little more uncommon (well not so much more uncommon...its around the same in the popularity list, but no major movie characters) Phoebe has a similar sound as does Leona. (different sounds but both similar in their way to Fiona)

[MissBliss]

I didn't think of Shrek, but I'm also not a 10 year old so kids in her generation might think differently

My first thoughts of Fiona were of a friend's cat with that name, and then the girl on Burn Notice. What about nicknames... is FiFi a possibility, and is it a good or a bad thing if it is?

If you've got awhile, you can let it simmer in your head how you feel about the name. My DH proposed a name in February thats taken me months to warm up to it but I feel good about it now. See how you feel about it a little while from now?

[Contrariety]

I loved it before stupid Shrek ruined it. I totally would have named a DD Fiona if it weren't for that movie. I pretty much planned on it for lots of years...

[lasergirl]

It was on our short list for the 1st baby-- I like it

[moderngal]

I love it. Our last name begins with an F, so it never was a real contender for us, but we definitely thought about it.

[rahans]

Love it too. Never saw the movie. Fiona is a great name.

[Mrsboyko]

My name is Wendie. I grew up in the wake of Peter Pan and just as Wendy's was getting big in fast food. It never really bothered me. I even liked to play up the resturnat bit by telling people my dad's name is Dave (it really is).

If you both love he name, go for it. Yes, the movie is still going to be relavent, but like a PP said, Fiona is kinda the anti-princess. And I usually don't think of the shrek character as an orger anymore than i think of "donkey" as a donkey, it is all about the personality that shines through.

[philomom]

I probably wouldn't because of the Shrek thing. I'm not into having too much in common with the popular culture crowd.

[Collinsky]

Originally Posted by lizzylou

I think it's a pretty name, regardless of it's Shrek association. I would use it. However... I think I am probably in the minority on this.

Shrek will probably have a very long shelf life, most of those movies do.

: I love Fiona...it would have been our list but Dh didn't care for it. I'd use it!

[Maluhia]

I know adults named Fiona - beautiful name, they report no problems.