When I was born, my parents let my older sister pick my name. Like any three-year-old would do, she named me after her favorite character, Princess Fiona, the ogre from Shrek. My peers liked to disregard the princess aspect, and as a result I grew up enduring my fair share of ogre jokes. I was not Fiona, the strong and independent warrior princess, but Fiona, a green, snotty ogre. I always found this especially ironic as “Fiona” by definition means“pale” and “fair” (Allen). Though vastly different from the ogre interpretation, this definition brought me no more satisfaction. 

I resented that my name meant nothing more than appearances. I was not a “warlike soldier” like my sister Martina (Woodley). Nor was I “one who listens” like my mother Simona (Abner). I was simply a grotesque ogre or delicate and pale. Not identifying with either of these physical attributes, I found it hard to establish a connection to my name. However, over years of family gatherings and conversations I came to realize the importance of my name, ceasing to hide behind the nickname Fifi. Thanksgivings and Christmas celebrations, we spent reminiscing on childhood stories reminded me of the weight my name holds within my family. Amongst family members, my name is not defined by the literal meaning or pop culture associations, but its connection to the past. For me, it brings me closer to my sister, our relationship beginning with her naming me. For my family it inspires recollection of the past, sharing memories of me and my sister, great-grandmother Fifi, and their own childhoods. My name is not simply a label, but stories waiting to be told, tradition and history kept alive. While I may not associate with an ogre or the delicacy of a pale femininity, I am proud of my name, as it binds my family together inspiring conversation and storytelling.

I hated that my name meant nothing more than appearances. I was not a “warlike soldier” like my sister Martina (Woodley). Nor was I or “one who listens” like my mother Simona (Abner). I was simply a grotesque ogre or delicate and pale. Not identifying with either of these physical attributes, I found it hard to establish a connection to my name. However, through years of family gatherings and conversations I developed a sense of pride in my name, no longer hiding behind the nickname Fifi. 

Thanksgivings and Christmas celebrations, spent reminiscing on childhood stories reminded me of the importance my name holds within my family. Amongst family members, my name is not defined by the literal meaning or pop culture associations, but its connection to the past. It brings me closer to my sister, our relationship beginning with her naming me. For my family it inspires recollection of the past, sharing memories of me and my sister, great-grandmother Fifi, and their own childhoods. My name is not simply a label but stories waiting to be told, tradition and history kept alive. While I may not associate with an ogre or the delicacy of a pale femininity, I am proud of my name, as it binds my family together inspiring conversation and storytelling. 

Works Cited

Abner, Rhayn. “Simona - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity.” The Bump, 25 May 

2023, www.thebump.com/b/simona-baby-name.Accessed October 5, 2023.

Allen, Jamie. “Fiona - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity.” The Bump, 20 Aug. 2023, 

www.thebump.com/b/fiona-baby-name. Accessed October 5, 2023.

Woodley, Amaya. “Martina.” Mom.Com, mom.com/baby-names/girl/23281/Martina. Accessed 

October 5, 2023.