Fiona Gilroy

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Fiona Gilroy — fair, white
1.2 million People worldwide
United Kingdom Most common in
1985s Peak popularity
Gender
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Fiona Gilroy is a name combining Celtic origins, bringing together "fair, white" (Fiona) with "son of the red-haired youth" (Gilroy). The first name Fiona is a feminine given name of Celtic origin. Coined by Scottish poet James Macpherson in the 18th century for his Ossian cycle, from Gaelic fionn (fair, white). Now widely used across the English-speaking world. The surname Gilroy: Gilroy is a surname that appeared in Irish as Mac Giolla Rua, which means "son of the red-haired youth". The name Gilroy has seen many modifications since it was first devised. The surname Gilroy was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár), on the west coast of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It was that of the chiefs of Clonderlaw, conjecturally descended from Tiobraid, son of Iral Glunmhar, King of Ulster. The scribes and church officials of the Middle Ages who recorded names in official documents spelled the names as they sounded. Fiona is one of the most widespread first names worldwide, carried by approximately 1.2 million people globally, with the highest concentration in United Kingdom. The name Fiona reached peak popularity in the 1985s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Fiona

Meaning: fair, white

Celtic

Coined by Scottish poet James Macpherson in the 18th century for his Ossian cycle, from Gaelic fionn (fair, white). Now widely used across the English-speaking world.

Surname: Gilroy

Meaning: son of the red-haired youth

Irish

Gilroy is a surname that appeared in Irish as Mac Giolla Rua, which means "son of the red-haired youth". The name Gilroy has seen many modifications since it was first devised. The surname Gilroy was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár), on the west coast of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It was that of the chiefs of Clonderlaw, conjecturally descended from Tiobraid, son of Iral Glunmhar, King of Ulster. The scribes and church officials of the Middle Ages who recorded names in official documents spelled the names as they sounded.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Fiona is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United Kingdom 50%
United States 25%
Australia 15%
Ireland 10%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Fiona by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Name Variants & Related Names

The name Fiona has several variants and related forms across different languages and cultures:

  • Fionna
  • Ffiona
  • Fionnghuala

Notable People Named Fiona Gilroy

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Fiona Gilroy:

5
Expression Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

4
Soul Urge Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

1
Personality Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Fiona?
The first name Fiona originates from Celtic. Coined by Scottish poet James Macpherson in the 18th century for his Ossian cycle, from Gaelic fionn (fair, white). Now widely used across the English-speaking world.
When was Fiona most popular?
The name Fiona reached its peak popularity during the 1985s.
What is the origin of the surname Gilroy?
The surname Gilroy originates from Irish. Gilroy is a surname that appeared in Irish as Mac Giolla Rua, which means "son of the red-haired youth". The name Gilroy has seen many modifications since it was first devised. The surname Gilroy was first found in County Clare (Irish: An Clár), on the west coast of Ireland, in the province of Munster. It was that of the chiefs of Clonderlaw, conjecturally descended from Tiobraid, son of Iral Glunmhar, King of Ulster. The scribes and church officials of the Middle Ages who recorded names in official documents spelled the names as they sounded.
What are the origins of the name Fiona Gilroy?
The name Fiona Gilroy combines two different traditions: the first name Fiona has Celtic roots, while the surname Gilroy originates from Irish.
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