Name problem! Please help !

[Youhou]

Hello ,

I am a new member here, and I hope you will help me!
Actually, I am a international student (teen) in Australia! ( Im coming from France).

My problem is really silly but I need you ! My first name is Fanny, which is a beautiful and famous name in my country! I am here for almost one year ( and I love Australia ) and no one have made ANY comment about my name!
Last time I saw a movie, where my name was used as a bad signification ( I looked in the dictionary), then I just forgot about that. Then I saw it again, so I have made research which told me that "fanny" has a really really bad meaning in Australia!

I have never heard people laughing about me or say anything, but I have to say that people remember my name easily and find it hard to make Aussie friends! I am so ashamed to ask them about that, or to talk to anyone! But please I need other teenagers ( so you guys!) to tell me honestly if either or not I have to change my first name!
Is it really a big deal in to be named Fanny in your country?

Oh I am really counting on you to reply me ! Please! I am getting crazy about that! I want to stay here, but do not want people laugh about me in my back!

Thank you so much in advances!!

[David]

Why do you care what they say? Especially about something as small as your name. Best to just ignore those people if it offends you. Although no matter what, I'd expect lighthearted jokes here and there. You should be able to tell whether someone is laughing AT you or trying to get you to laugh too.

[kelsaa-]

if no one's said anything about it then why do you care?

[Josh_froggy]

Fanny means vagina in Australia for people who didnt know...

nothing wrong with it everyone knows its a name, people may joke about it but nothing nasty. dont change your name!

[Youhou]

Thank you for your anwser David!
I used to not care, but these days, this name problem come more and more often in my mind! I never see someone laught, but because I don't know this Aussie culture very well, I though it was not appropriate to have this name here, and that no one would have talk to me about that because they feel uncomfortable ( It is hard to say to someone what a name like this means)!
I need to think... it is not that I care about what they think, it is just for me...
Anyway, I am happy to see that you do not feel chocked or anything about my name ( and the fact that I have the opinion from someone who is from USA makes me reconsider it)

[Youhou]

Ooooh Josh_froggy! This is what I wanted to know! I was worried it was not appropriated! Like it was something so shameful!! Thanks for letting me know!!

Kelsaa, no one said anything.. but I found it strange since it really means something bad! I though maybe behind me! And why they didnot say anything? I though it was too bad to mention about that! really!

[David]

If YOU want to change your name because you don't like it, then go right for it. But never change anything about yourself for other people. Even something as simple as a name.

[kelsaa-]

maybe aussies are just rly nice and are mature about it? idk i mean i would expect ppl to say something to but if they're not then great. and if it's behind your back, who cares? it's just about your name, it's nothing you can help really. i wouldn't suggest changing your name over it, tho.

[Youhou]

I like my name... really!! And Im feeling weird to change it suddendly... I want to leave there, have a job, a family.... and if people think about me as a 'fanny' all the time... then maybe I have to adapt myself =(
I wanted to have your opinion, because maybe I am parranoid! Maybe there is nothing wrong to be named Fanny! I dont want to change it, then realize that my name is finaly fine even the meaning!

[Youhou]

Kelsaa, Im really considering your opinion! Thank you!! I would be so sad to change it!

[Ali-31]

Generally I don't think people care.

What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet

Is Fanny short for Françoise?

[rednaxula]

Lol fanny.
That would probably be the extent of it to be honest, someone as immature as me would giggle at it, but that's it. I don't think anyone other than school kids would try to be demeaning about it, as there are about anything.

As you said you're an international student I'm assuming you mean at university level, so I don't think anyone would really care. As you've said nobody has said anything, so there isn't anything to worry about. I know someone called Guy Fila (pronounced feeler), but he only gets teased about it as a joke among friends, nothing serious.

[Youhou]

Ali-31, I hope you are right and people don't care! I am so sensitive about every thing... I should not think too much Lol Fanny is just a name, not a nickname of anything (Francoise is different ) Thanks for your answer

rednaxula, I am glad to hear that you would probably giggle at it and just forget it! Yes, I am in Uni, and almost every one is older than me ( more than 20, I just turned 19 ) I was wondering if other students care about this, and maybe feel uncomfortable to have a friend named Fanny! When Im reading your anwser, there is nothing seriously!
I just feel released that you, in this forum, are not doing a big deal with my name! Thanks for telling me about that!

[Ali-31]

de rien, ma chérie

[Youhou]

de rien, ma chérie

Merci Ali-31

[aubrieanne]

First of all, people will know that you're from another country and that your parents didn't purposely name you something that means vagina lol. Second of all, if you like it don't change it. Finally, if it really worries you, you could go by your middle name (if you have one) or something. Personally, I doubt that it's really a big deal.

[Youhou]

aubrieanne
I was thinking for my middle name as well
I am just not pround when people ask my name now, and I have lost confidence to talk tp other! Last time my friend called me (she didnot know the meaning as well) and every one just turned towards me with big eyes Lol

Thank you for your answer !!

[Aphyxium]

It doesn't matter what people think or what their opinions are of you, they're missing out on a great person, sista.

[purplegal]

If anyone asks, just explain that it's a popular name in the country you are from.
Most people will be respectful of that, I think.
But if you like it, and no one is saying anything about it, then I wouldn't worry about it.

[I_Am_Once_Was]

People will get over it. I mean nobody even thinks twice about the Chinese name 'Wang' anymore.