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Philippa or Fiona?
I am trying to pair some new girls' names with Imogen and I can't decide which I prefer between Philippa and Fiona. I think they sound too much alike to use together. I had also considered Francesca but I think I've decided against it for now. So, what do you think - Fiona or Philippa (or Francesca, I guess)?
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Philippa.
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FionaI much prefer Fiona. I hate female names that are obviously the feminine form of a male name, like Philippa. And especially when it sounds the same too (philip + pa).
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Fiona
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Philippa, but...I also like Fiona very much. For me preferring one over the other would depend on the application. Just as names I like Philippa a bit more; I'm into female names that are obviously feminized male names, and it totally fits the bill. It has a poppy, enthusiastic little sound to it. If someone was to ask about which I'd prefer for their actual child, though, I'd go with Fiona. It's a very sweet and likeable name without going overboard or being as, eh, maybe unwieldy as Philippa would be to bear for real. I don't even think I'd want to be a Philippa even though I really like it. Fiona Catherine / Katherine is one of my "second string" favorites.
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I like both, and were you to ask me again at a later date, I might choose differently, but for today I will say Fiona because it is spunky.
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Fiona
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PhilippaAM
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Fiona.
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Fiona used to be my favourite girls name. I still like it but I know it's a bit dated. I can see why people prefer Philippa. It has a nice sound, is historic, is well known but not too common.
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Philippa or Francesca. Both seem to fit the feel and sound of Imogen better than Fiona, in my opinion. Of Philippa or Francesca, I prefer Philippa.
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Philippa.
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Philippa - Fiona would be too refined and sugary with Imogen. I also love the way Philippa sounds and its long history - a great name!
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sorry - posted twice in errorPhilippa. Fiona's a made-up literary name (albeit one with a plausible entymology) and has been used for decades by every other person with the merest hint of Scottish ancestry. It's pretty, but overused, and a tad jaded.
Philippa, on the other hand, is less used and therefore fresher. It was the name of a medieval queen of England and has a long history and genuine entymology.
"Lover of horses" is an appealing meaning.
Pippa is a sweet nn for a Philippa.

This message was edited 4/23/2008, 12:04 AM

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Philippa. Fiona's a made-up literary name (albeit one with a plausible entymology) and has been used for decades by every other person with the merest hint of Scottish ancestry. It's pretty, but overused, and a tad jaded.
Philippa, on the other hand, is less used and therefore fresher. It was the name of a medieval queen of England and has a long history and genuine entymology.
"Lover of horses" is an appealing meaning.
Pippa is a sweet nn for a Philippa.
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I like Francesca actually! Philippa is just nms and Fiona is alright, but nothing special. I love the sound of Francesca and also the nn Cesca.
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Philippad
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Philippa, and I love the nickname Pippa!
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PhilippaThe real appeal of the name Philippa for me used to be the nn Pippa. Lately the sound of the name has really grown on me.
Fiona is nice enough, but I've grown a little tired of it.
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That's a tough one, they're both nice. I think I'd go with Philippa as it's less popular.
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Felipa?Fiona definitely. Both are on my list. Philippa is a little severe but I have known a Felipa, who I think is Indonesian. I do like Felipa.
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