Phiona is a unique and beautiful name of African origin, specifically from Uganda. It means "the gift" in the Luganda language, which is widely spoken in that country. The name Phiona gained international recognition thanks to Phiona Mutesi, a chess prodigy from Uganda who overcame great adversity to become an International Woman Grandmaster and inspire the Disney film "The Queen of Katwe". However, its use is not limited to Uganda or connected to this famous figure alone. Phiona can be given as a name in its own right, carrying with it a meaningful message regardless of its bearer's gender or background. It can be spelled in various ways, such as Phionah, Fione, or even Feeona, but its essence remains the same: a precious gift to cherish and nurture.
The name Phiona saw a spike in popularity between 2009 and 2014 with 12 births each year during this period. However, it has since declined, with only 5 or 6 births per year from 2020 onwards. The total number of births is 123 over the specified years.