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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Fanni/Fanny - both inappropriate?

87 replies

YoungLadyFromScandinavia · 13/10/2019 17:25

Sorry for my bad English, I'm not a native English speaker and neither have my English grades been high. So I guess there are a lot of mistakes in this post.

I'm from Finland where the name Fanni/Fanny is a quite usual name. I know many girls and women who are named Fanni or Fanny. It's my name too, written with "I" as the last letter. For the last few days I have read much opinions about my name. This hasn't been very fun... I have read that the name "Fanny" means in the UK female genitals, and is considered very vulgar. Many Finnish people also think that it's not anymore a good idea to give that name to babies, since the world has become more international and English is a so well-known language. Do you think it saves anything if the name is written "Fanni" and not "Fanny"? It would be nice to read honest opinions. smile

Haha, I guess I'm over -emotional since I cried yesterday a little because I felt that my name was ruined.

Sorry for writing this question in this discussion area, I'm not sure if this is the right area for this question.

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Ker100 · 13/10/2019 17:37

I think OP is just wanting opinions as it's her own name?
Not that she's considering giving it to her child.

bridgetreilly · 13/10/2019 17:36

I don't know if it helps at all with your own name, but the vulgar meaning is UK-specific. In the US it's not a rude word at all, though it is used as a (polite) slang term for bottom.

I think it is perfectly fine to use it, though. English is not everyone's culture or language and shouldn't be allowed to overwhelm all others.

happycamper11 · 13/10/2019 17:35

I wouldn't, if a child ends up in a job dealing with brits it will cause hilarity there too. We live in an international world these days

CravingCheese · 13/10/2019 17:35

Nanni is imo really pretty and might be a good alternative....? Good luck.

CravingCheese · 13/10/2019 17:34

Hi :) I'm not UK based but I still wouldn't use it... Sorry!
Were you thinking about naming your baby Fanni?

sue51 · 13/10/2019 17:33

How about Frances or Francesca as an alternative?

Redwinestillfine · 13/10/2019 17:31

Be proud of your name. I think the fact you're from Scandinavia means you can pull it off. I wouldn't name a child who is going to be brought up in the UK that name though.

Pipandmum · 13/10/2019 17:31

Spelling doesn’t make a difference. People will always smirk at it as soon as they hear it. There are plenty of other names to choose from!

TheQueef · 13/10/2019 17:30

The Scots put the nail in that coffin.
Fanny is a very amusing sleer up North.
Frani is OK so maybe Francis.

Whatsnewpussyhat · 13/10/2019 17:29

If you live in Finland fine, if you live in the uk then they please don't.

user1483387154 · 13/10/2019 17:28

I would not give that name to a child nowadays. they would be badly teased

GummyGoddess · 13/10/2019 17:28

It doesn't matter what the spelling is, the pronunciation is the same so it isn't any better I'm afraid.