Fiona

Fiona is an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic element fionn, meaning white or fair, and was popularized as a given name by the Scottish poet James Macpherson in the 18th century and later by the writer William Sharp, who used the pen name Fiona Macleod in the 1890s. Its Irish counterpart Fíona derives from the Old Irish word fían, referring to a band of warriors, giving it a distinct etymological root despite the similar spelling. The name spread widely through the English-speaking world during the 20th century. Related forms include Fionnuala and Finola.