[Opinions] Fiona
in reply to a message by Serafina Starstrider
Leona sounds gawky to me somehow, I dunno why. And aged. I have always liked Fiona, although not enough to use because it somehow feels too strong for me - strong the way that strong tea is strong. But Fiona seems much more current and pretty and appealing than Leona.
Fiona Marguerite or Fiona Marian are both good.
I'd probably use Fi or Fifi if I shortened it affectionately. It does not need an everyday nickname and all of them are awkward if they're not being used by someone very familiar.
For Leona, Lee, Leo, and Lea all seem to work. Oni does not, except maybe for a toddler, as it sounds very childish. Leonie to me is pronounced LAY-o-nee so that does not work. Lee-O-nee doesn't shorten Leona but could work as an affectionate name.
- mirfak
Fiona Marguerite or Fiona Marian are both good.
I'd probably use Fi or Fifi if I shortened it affectionately. It does not need an everyday nickname and all of them are awkward if they're not being used by someone very familiar.
For Leona, Lee, Leo, and Lea all seem to work. Oni does not, except maybe for a toddler, as it sounds very childish. Leonie to me is pronounced LAY-o-nee so that does not work. Lee-O-nee doesn't shorten Leona but could work as an affectionate name.
- mirfak
Replies
You're either the first or one of few people to mention Leona feeling aged. I didn't realize until I looked that Leona in the US was very popular in the 1900's reaching its height of popularity in 1905. Based on the % of the population that was given the name it would have been the 23rd or 24th most popular when compared to names in the 2015 year. That feels odd to me because I've met very few Leona's and they were all been born in the 80's or 90's. Maybe I don't spend enough time around the elderly and if I did I'd run into more of them.
----------------
----------------
This message was edited 8/1/2016, 2:51 AM
I've never actually met a Leona! I think my impression is about 80% Leona Helmsley ("We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes"), and 20% various unremembered and unconscious associations. I imagine that it looking like the first part of Leonard is one of those small things. If I'd ever met a young Leona, that'd probably make a big difference in my perception of it.
This message was edited 7/31/2016, 10:05 PM
I've only met one to three Leona's before. One of my regular customers at the first coffee shop I worked at was either named Leona or Lorna I can't quite remember. She was probably born in the late 70's or early 80's. That was about 10 or 11 years ago so I am having a little trouble remembering. Man that makes me feel old.
I just remembered that another one of my favorite regulars was named Trini which I had assumed was short for Katrina but then I asked and it was short for Trinidad. She is definitely the only Trinidad I've ever met. Sorry went a little off topic there.
----------------
I just remembered that another one of my favorite regulars was named Trini which I had assumed was short for Katrina but then I asked and it was short for Trinidad. She is definitely the only Trinidad I've ever met. Sorry went a little off topic there.
----------------
This message was edited 8/1/2016, 3:47 AM