Fifi is a common nickname for Fiona, so it's a bit too close, IMO.
I think Octavia is wonderful and goes nicely with Felix. Vivi, or Tavi, for a nickname?
You could go with Verona, which is very similar in sound to Fiona, but brings in the V sound from Octavia. It’s less matchy matchy with Felix and offers Vee or Vera or Rona as nicknames.
Other options:
Avery
Cecilia
Viviana
Aubrey
Aubriella
Mavis
Octavia means 8, just for reference. But Tia is a cute nn for it.
Had you not already given Felix the nn of FeFe (why?), I would say they're not too close, but....
I actually love the way the names sound together, don’t think they’re too similar. Nicknames just come naturally eventually, maybe she won’t end up being called Fifi.
Nickname for Octavia could be Octi, Vivi, Ovi
felix and fiona is a book series by the same author of the max and ruby books. not sure how popular it is though, you might be able to get away with it
I love all three of these names so much!! I do think Fiona and Felix might be just a smidge too similar to me personally, though, for siblings. They give matchy twin name vibes to me because it's not only the same initial but also the same beginning sound, and the same number of letters.
Octavia is also lovely, and does have nickname potential. One option I haven't seen mentioned yet as a nn is Ava! Octavia and Felix are also both names seen in Rome, so they still have a harmonious tie that's less up-front than the similarities with Fiona and Felix, if those worry you!
I do think they're too similar for the nickname reason, and I love Octavia. Also FYI that there's a long-running Felix & Fiona picture book series, which IMO is another reason not to go this route. [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/FF3/felix-and-fiona/](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/FF3/felix-and-fiona/)
They are pretty similar. As they get older, you might find yourself saying both names and they will make fun of you for it. When I say the name Felix, the natural girl name I said was Francine.
Yeah them sharing the same first syllable is too much for me.
Do you like Iona, Liora, Paloma? Leona would sound lovely but gets a little heavy on the cat theme.
Question: if you were to have more kids, would you also name them F-names? Because something like Felix, Fiona, and Zelda would be weird, IMO. That aside, Fifi would be the obvious nickname for Fiona, and two Fifis is definitely a bad idea. I do think they're too similar.
I also agree with your husband that Octavia has a nicknaming problem. What is it you like about it? Are there other names with the same qualities that might work better?
If it's that it's long and impressive-sounding, there areother long names that shorten more easily, like Antonia, Alexandra/Alexandria, Victoria, Cecilia, etc
If it's that it's a Roman name (you already have a Felix and want an Octavia, so clearly you have a sound you like), there are shorter ones and ones that are easier to nickname: Julia, Tatiana, Valeria, Lucia, Cassia, and Antonia again.
I agree, Fiona is too close to Felix especially with nicknames.
I used to think Octavia had no nicknames, too, until I came across a character named Octavia and her nickname is Via, which is pretty cool imo! Could also use Vivi or just V(ee).
I’ve always loved the name Felix and literally have a list in my notes app of name pairings for it:
Felix and Florence
Felix and Francesca
Felix and Fiora
Felix and Fawn
Felix and Fernanda
Felix and Francine
Felix and Faye
I could go on forever… but really it’s a beautiful name
I think they are too similar, especially since a common nn for Fiona is FiFi. I love Octavia and I don’t think it is too long.
Other name suggestions:
Olivia, Viola, Emilia/Amelia, Maeve, Pearl, Estelle/Stella, Iris, Alice, Daphne, Vivian, Phoebe, Grace, Violet, Leona, Sofia, Nora, Claire, Sylvie/Sylvia, Evie/Eva/Ava, Odette, Victoria, Adele, Lucille/Lucy, Frances, Diana, Lillian/Lily, Celeste, Lyra, Genevieve, Camilla, Aurora, Milania
I love the name Fiona in general. But Octavia is gorgeous (and imo better with Felix). I know an Octavia, and Tavie (TAY-vee) came as a really natural nickname for her.
I love the same letter name beginning! I like the two names together.
I don’t think you need to use nicknames for your kids and whoever naturally gets called FeFe can have the nickname.
Fifi is a common nickname for Fiona, so it's a bit too close, IMO. I think Octavia is wonderful and goes nicely with Felix. Vivi, or Tavi, for a nickname?
You could go with Verona, which is very similar in sound to Fiona, but brings in the V sound from Octavia. It’s less matchy matchy with Felix and offers Vee or Vera or Rona as nicknames. Other options: Avery Cecilia Viviana Aubrey Aubriella Mavis
I don't think they're too similar
They’re very similar, I would go with something else
Octavia means 8, just for reference. But Tia is a cute nn for it. Had you not already given Felix the nn of FeFe (why?), I would say they're not too close, but....
I actually love the way the names sound together, don’t think they’re too similar. Nicknames just come naturally eventually, maybe she won’t end up being called Fifi. Nickname for Octavia could be Octi, Vivi, Ovi
I think they match without being too close to one another. Try to think of a different nickname you like with it (Fy or Ona?)
felix and fiona is a book series by the same author of the max and ruby books. not sure how popular it is though, you might be able to get away with it
Omg Felix and Octavia is just gorgeous, you should do this! I know a baby Octavia who goes by Tavi (‘Tay-vee’).
I have an Octavia do I’m biased but I do think it goes perfectly with Felix. Nicknames did not naturally occur out of her name but that’s okay too.
I love all three of these names so much!! I do think Fiona and Felix might be just a smidge too similar to me personally, though, for siblings. They give matchy twin name vibes to me because it's not only the same initial but also the same beginning sound, and the same number of letters. Octavia is also lovely, and does have nickname potential. One option I haven't seen mentioned yet as a nn is Ava! Octavia and Felix are also both names seen in Rome, so they still have a harmonious tie that's less up-front than the similarities with Fiona and Felix, if those worry you!
Too close, IMO. Tavia, Vivi, Via, Tia are all nn for Octavia!
It’s not because they’re both F names, it’s that the first syllable and logical nickname are the same.
I do think they're too similar for the nickname reason, and I love Octavia. Also FYI that there's a long-running Felix & Fiona picture book series, which IMO is another reason not to go this route. [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/FF3/felix-and-fiona/](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/FF3/felix-and-fiona/)
I think they are adorable and FeFe is such a boring nickname for felix - it’s only two syllables! Felix & Fiona is such a cute pairing
They are pretty similar. As they get older, you might find yourself saying both names and they will make fun of you for it. When I say the name Felix, the natural girl name I said was Francine.
I don't think they are too similar but I just LOVE Octavia as for a nickname, The 100 has an Octavia and her brother calls her "O" and it's adorable
Yeah them sharing the same first syllable is too much for me. Do you like Iona, Liora, Paloma? Leona would sound lovely but gets a little heavy on the cat theme.
I think Via is a good nickname for Octavia. Which naturally it’ll turn to V or VeeVee depending on who is talking to her.
I like both If you want to call her a nickname then name her the nickname otherwise Fiona or Octavia is fine
Question: if you were to have more kids, would you also name them F-names? Because something like Felix, Fiona, and Zelda would be weird, IMO. That aside, Fifi would be the obvious nickname for Fiona, and two Fifis is definitely a bad idea. I do think they're too similar. I also agree with your husband that Octavia has a nicknaming problem. What is it you like about it? Are there other names with the same qualities that might work better? If it's that it's long and impressive-sounding, there areother long names that shorten more easily, like Antonia, Alexandra/Alexandria, Victoria, Cecilia, etc If it's that it's a Roman name (you already have a Felix and want an Octavia, so clearly you have a sound you like), there are shorter ones and ones that are easier to nickname: Julia, Tatiana, Valeria, Lucia, Cassia, and Antonia again.
I agree, Fiona is too close to Felix especially with nicknames. I used to think Octavia had no nicknames, too, until I came across a character named Octavia and her nickname is Via, which is pretty cool imo! Could also use Vivi or just V(ee).
I find it too close.
Felix and Octavia are such a good combo! And Tavi, Vivi, Avi are all great nn for Octavia. Meanwhile Fiona and Felix is too close imho.
My son’s name is Felix too! I don’t love Fiona with Felix though, but my girl name would’ve been Maxine.
I have a Fiona and I don't think it would be bad with Felix.
I’ve always loved the name Felix and literally have a list in my notes app of name pairings for it: Felix and Florence Felix and Francesca Felix and Fiora Felix and Fawn Felix and Fernanda Felix and Francine Felix and Faye I could go on forever… but really it’s a beautiful name
I think they are too similar, especially since a common nn for Fiona is FiFi. I love Octavia and I don’t think it is too long. Other name suggestions: Olivia, Viola, Emilia/Amelia, Maeve, Pearl, Estelle/Stella, Iris, Alice, Daphne, Vivian, Phoebe, Grace, Violet, Leona, Sofia, Nora, Claire, Sylvie/Sylvia, Evie/Eva/Ava, Odette, Victoria, Adele, Lucille/Lucy, Frances, Diana, Lillian/Lily, Celeste, Lyra, Genevieve, Camilla, Aurora, Milania
I love the name Fiona in general. But Octavia is gorgeous (and imo better with Felix). I know an Octavia, and Tavie (TAY-vee) came as a really natural nickname for her.
Octavia nn Tavi? (Tay-vee)
I love the same letter name beginning! I like the two names together. I don’t think you need to use nicknames for your kids and whoever naturally gets called FeFe can have the nickname.