Fanni/Fanny - both inappropriate?

Ah Op it's your name, there's nothing really you can do other than see the other side or grow a thicker skin maybe. If you're happy to change the written version (even though it sounds the same), may I suggest Fani. Best of luck.

There was a french girl called fanny when our school did an exchange trip about 25 years ago. We did all laugh initially but then we just got used to it.

I don't automatically think of the vulgar use.
To me it's more associated with 'Fanny about ' to dither or make things harder than needed.

I.e. Our DB is a flapper, he can turn non events into crisis so much he's considered too much of a Fanny.
I am old though.

A common term of endearment here though for a female is Fanny Ann - my mum and nan called both me and my sister that affectionately. That isn't considered vulgar. So I think that shows that the name can be used without tittering

True! My mum and aunt use Fanny Ann all the time

I knew a Swedish girl who came to the UKcalled Fanny. Within one week she insisted everyone call her Honey and stopped introducing herself with her real name. Even in an adult professional environment it was terrible for her and so would be even worse for a child

Oh don't be sad. It's your name, it's lovely, and just ignore the few sniggers your night get.

I work/live in quite international environments and know other Fannys. No one with any sense thinks it's anything other than their perfectly normal international name.

Use it with pride and confidence.

Hence why I said relatively recent @Crystal87.

In the grand scheme of the english language and the name, it is relatively recent.

The nickname Fanny was still being used for Frances until the 1970s?
It started to be used in a vulgar sense around the 1920s-30s I think?

A common term of endearment here though for a female is Fanny Ann - my mum and nan called both me and my sister that affectionately. That isn't considered vulgar. So I think that shows that the name can be used without tittering.

Fanny isn't a recent term, it's been a word for female genitals for years.

I cried yesterday a little because I felt that my name was ruined

I hate that you're so sad about this.

TBH, I can see why you'd feel that way, and maybe a child in a playground would be teased, maybe

But, I honestly feel that if you moved here or dealt with Brits/Americans professionally, then people would get over it very very quickly and it would just be your name.

Then people would say, "Oh, I knew a woman called Fanny, lovely lady".

I think it was commonly used in the past as a diminutive for Frances, It's a relatively recent phenomenon that it was used in a vulgar way so your Mum clearly wouldn't have known that as who used the internet to search for such things in the 1990s (if indeed she had access to the internet at all).

Some people might snigger in the U.K. Others will remember elderly relatives with that name, or the well-known tv cook called Fanny Craddock. There is also the French actress Fanny Ardant.

I know a woman (not from the U.K.) named Fanny, and it never struck me as odd, especially as she pronounces it Fan-nee.

If you’re not living in the U.K. I certainly wouldn’t worry about it.

Sorry I've realised it's your name Its not ideal but I agree with pp that are suggesting other alternatives

If you did want to be known as something else though, Fran is a very normal name over here and wouldn't raise an eyebrow.
Or you could use Franny or Francis.

I knew a Fanni. She was from a Scandinavian country, but I don't remember which. She did not say her name the way we would say Fanny. It was more like Fannn-neh or Funnn-neh. It was just her name, if you see what I mean. Didn't make us think of rude, sniggery jokes. In any case, she spoke with a lilt, a different rhythm to us, which also separated her name from our slang terminology.

But we were all adults and friends. As a teenager, things were different. Very soon after joining our school,
Frances changed her nickname to Frankie. And the teacher who invited her A-level set to be on first name terms with her regretted it when knowledge of her name trickled down the school. "Francesca, but you can call me Fanny."

You cant call a child Fanny in the uk ffs

Where are you living at the moment? If you're living in Finland then I wouldn't worry about it. Please don't be upset about your own name. Even if you live/plan to live in the UK people are generally very accepting of names from other cultures and quickly get used to a name.

In a work environment though, most people you encounter will have enough sense to know not all countries follow English or American naming conventions.

I could see the issue if it was a child in school in the UK now perhaps but I don't see the issue for an adult from another country where it's a commonly used name.

Sorry OP but no it doesn’t matter how it’s spelled- it’s still the same pronunciation. And yes, it’s a very rude word! Not sure there’s anyone in the UK who wouldn’t associate it with a vagina! In the US it means bum.

Ooops. I thought the name was for a baby too. Teach me to read the post properly rather than assume.

Apologies, skimmed the OP and assumed from the topic!

Anyway, when I hear it I actually don't think of female genitals as I would never use the word fanny like that.

I don't think you should use it but it is a shame as it is a nice name. Apparently my grandma (french speaker) wanted me to be called it as it was the name of a deceased relative...I'm endlessly grateful it's not actually my name.

It's the OP's name!

Not a name she is thinking of using for her child.