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Daphne is definitely my pick of the two. It's such a sweet, yet spunky name and not popular for little girls these days at all. I LOVE the name Ivy and both Iris and Emmaline are nice too. Daphne Emmaline would make a great combo.

I prefer Fiona. I still consider Daphne to be an older ladies name, and I imagine a soft spoken little old lady. Fiona, however, seems much fresher and more vibrant. I can imagine a young Fiona much easier than a young Daphne.

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I like Iris a lot as well, probably on a par with Fiona. Emmaline is pretty but she will probably be called Emma, hitch is so popular that it's quite boring really.

I think Fiona is very beautiful and I think it is used often enough not to tease a girl named Fiona. By the way, I think it is not the worst association. ;)

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Iris and Emmaline are nice, too. : )

I love Fiona (and Iris). Daphne is okay, but I think Fiona sounds so much better.

Fiona is a good, positive character who happens to be large and green. Why expect trouble? If you used Daphne, there might be some Daffy Duck fanciers lurking in the background! It's impossible to second-guess public opinion anyway: who knows what the next serial killer might be called? Once I met parents who couldn't choose between Miriam and Miranda, so they invented Mirinda and were totally happy for months or years, can't recall, when suddenly there was a fizzy drink called Mirinda which was so synthetic-orange coloured that it practically glowed in the dark. It's just a chance you've got to take.

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That said, I like both names so the best suggestion I can make is that you try out each one with your ln. Fiona Jones? Daphne Jones? Fiona Jackson? Daphne Jackson? Fiona Robinson? Daphne Robinson? Rhythm and sound can work for or against any name. (With my ln, I'd go the Fiona route.)

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Your other possibilities aren't as radiant as the first two, with the exception of the elegant and beautiful Iris. Ivy is getting very popular, but it's such an annoying plant that I can't see the benefit; and Emmaline would probably be lost in the crowds of little Emily and Emma people.

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Edited to fix typo.

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This message was edited 8/19/2012, 11:08 PM

First of all, congratulations!! Your other names are lovely as well, Iris is actually a family name of mine :) I definitely prefer Daphne for no other reason than I just prefer the look and sound of it to Fiona. I guess the Shrek movies will long be watched by kids and if the chance of teasing really bothers you, don't use the name- but I don't think Shrek will be anywhere near as popular in the future with your child's generation as it has been with mine (I'm now in my late teens :).

I prefer Daphne. I've never been into Fiona. I find Daphne lovely and I have never met one in real life, I would really love to meet a little Daphne.

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I love Ivy from the rest of your list. Ivy Daphne would be adorable.

I really like them both. I enjoy the classic Greek style of Daphne and I love the way it looks written yet I worry about the potential nn, Daffy. With Fiona, this seems so musical and just fun to say. I love the open vowels. I love the nn, Fee. I love that Fiona is soft and feminine yet tough and spunky at the same time. And I don't associate it with Shrek at all and don't think many will. I actually see more teasing potential with Daphne (Daffy) although I will say that I did have a co-worker named Daphne once and she preferred to be called Daffy so different strokes and all that.

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I definitely prefer these two to Ivy, Iris and Emmaline (prefer Emmeline if one must do it).

I like both, but I like Fiona a little more. :) I don't think that the Shrek issue would be a problem.

I'd go with Fiona no question. Daphne is really pretty but has always felt kind of flimsy and cutesy to me. Fiona is a lot stronger and I feel that it would mature better. As for teasing, I don't think Shrek will be a teasing point. No more than Scooby-Doo. Princess Fiona is awesome anyway, way cooler than the other ginger. IMO.

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Iris and Ivy would be my runners up, in that order.

Daphne! I think Fiona is so pretty and useable, but Daphne turns heads in my view. It's quirky, sweet, artistic, perhaps a little bit rabbit-y, but would suit all types.

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Ivy and Iris are both super lovely.

I like all of the names on your list. Lucky little girl. :)

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I happen to love Fiona. Even though I like Daphne, Fiona easily wins in a head to head battle for me. I think Fiona feels a bit more elegant than does Daphne, and my ear loves the long "o". Daphne only gives me two vowel sounds, and shes pretty straight-forward sounding. Fiona takes me on a little auditory ride and has a little more mystery. I also get a bit of a wintry-sparkle feeling from Fiona, associated with her sound and meaning, though she's not "cold"-feeling to me at all...it's more of a crisp, almost magical feel. I happen love winter, by the way.

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As far as teasing potential goes, I don't think either name is really problematic. Yes, Fiona may be associated with "Shrek" but Daphne may be associated with "Scooby Doo" and the word, "daffy", or even Daffy Duck. If kids want to tease, they'll find a way. I try to avoid handing it to them on a silver platter, but these aren't, to my mind, anything to worry about.

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I like them both just about evenly. Fiona has a light, pleasant sound. Daphne is perhaps more quirky. Daphne would turn my head more but Fiona would blend in better.

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I would go with Fiona. Daphne isn't totally "out there" but I think Fiona is more user-friendly. Your daughter might thank you for it. :-) Plus, I think it would sound very pretty paired with any of the names on your list as a middle name, should you choose to go that route.

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Not that you asked, but I think Fern and Phoebe "feel" similar. I have the same sort of regard for them--they're not my favorites, but I can find many things to like about them.

I like Fiona slightly more.

I prefer Fiona. It's a beautiful name. Fiona is well-known enough that Shrek shouldn't be much of an issue. I think of a girl I used to go to school with named Fiona and Fiona Apple before I think of the Shrek character.

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Daphne has grown on me, and I like its mythological background, but it reminds me of the words "daft" and "daffy." It has an ethereal quality that I do like, though.

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I love Iris and Ivy. Emmaline is pretty, but it's close to Emily and Emma. I imagine that people might call her Emily or Emma by mistake, but if that doesn't bother you, go for it. I would still be happy to encounter Emmaline in real life.

Both Fiona and Daphne are lovely classics. You can't go wrong with either one. I've loved Fiona for years, long before Shrek. The movie doesn't affect my love for it. Daphne is a more recent addition to my long list. I picture a Spring garden and light, airy gauze material (diaphanous).

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If I had to choose between them, I'd go with Fiona. But that's only because I'm Irish (American) and have an affinity to all Gaelic names.

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[Iris Daphne keeps popping into my head for some reason.]

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I didn't immediately think of Shrek until you mentioned it actually. Out of the two I think I prefer Daphne - the Scooby-Doo reference makes it even more lovable for me - I have never been that fond of Fiona. However if you love both names... How about Daphne Fiona?
From the others I prefer Ivy - in fact out of all of them I prefer Ivy. Iris and Emmaline are definitely not my style.