Fanni/Fanny - both inappropriate?

[YoungLadyFromScandinavia]

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.

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

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.

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).

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

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.

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?

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

Meant to say funny side

I am from Scandinavia and love the name Fanny. I also have a friend called Fanny who lives in the UK. I think most people you are likely to want to hang out with would be aware of Fanny being a Scandinavian name and probably be familiar with it from for example Fanny and Alexander.

As an aside, you are not Scandinavian if you are Finnish😉

I work with a lady called Fanny. Her parents are Dutch. Absolutely lovely and nobody bats an eyelid (if they do behind her back then they're twats).

Hilarious name in the UK. Otherwise, fine. All over the world names will sound like rude slang of elsewhere. I once knew a Korean girl whose name was pronounced mingey!

It’s not “very” vulgar imo. I’m Scottish and here it’s often used as a slang and rude but affectionate version of “idiot”. Though it does mean female genitalia. It’s similar in English to the boys name “Dick” in that it’s still a valid name and most adults wouldn’t snigger.

You can use the British version which is FRANCES, Fanny is short for Frances over here, it is my Christian name.

Could be worse. I work with a chap called 'Dikshit'..

Yes, both are inappropriate.

it’s a very rude word!

I wouldn’t say ‘very rude’. It’s a very mild slang term.

OP, I (thankfully) don’t know any adults who would laugh at your name. I would hope that the vast majority of grown ups would be mature enough to realise that naming traditions are different in other countries and other cultures.

Well, I know a grown-up Fanny and no one bats an eyelid. It’s just her name. I actually like it as a short form of Frances, and anyway my first thought is the main fabulous character in Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park.

I love the name Fanny and think its high time it was resurrected and reclaimed from its' ruder associations. After all, many people have unusual surnames which can be made fun of such as Pratt or Bottom (or both together) and they may be teased as children, but adults certainly realise how stupid it is to point put such things.

I'm very glad it's been used in other cultures!

Please don't worry about it! It's lovely but you can go by the name Fran if you prefer.

After all, many people have unusual surnames which can be made fun of such as Pratt or Bottom (or both together) and they may be teased as children, but adults certainly realise how stupid it is to point put such things.

I know someone who married a Mr Bottom last weekend. She did not take his surname 😬