Facebook doesn't recognize Effin, Ireland

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EFFIN, Ireland, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- An Irish woman said she is trying to convince Facebook to accept the name of her birthplace, the town of Effin.

Ann Marie Kennedy, 47, who registered for Facebook in June, said she believes the social networking site is rejecting the name because of its similarity to an alternative for a profane word and she has started an online campaign to have the city recognized, The Washington Post reported Monday.

"I'm a proud Effin woman," Kennedy said. "There are other Effin people around the world, and they want to put down that Effin is their home town."

Kennedy said the town's name comes from the name of a saint called Eimhin.

"Before cursing became popular, Effin was quite a normal word," Kennedy said.

Facebook sent the Post an e-mailed reply to its request for a comment.

"From time to time we are alerted to oversights such as this in our mapping system," the e-mail read.

Kennedy said she has provided information about the town, including as Google Map showing its location, to Blue Rubicon, a London-based public relations firm working for Facebook. She said she hopes the firm will be able to help her get Effin listed.

"I just want to put down that I am from Effin because I am proud of my parish," she said.