Nanny or Grandma

I’m a Nanima, obviously becoming Nanny over the years. The first of my daughters to produce a grandchild for us married into a Gujerati family and Nanima is the name given to the mother’s mother. The name for the father’s mother is Dadima. The name stuck for all my following grandchildren from two other daughters. Now I have great grandchildren, I’m Nanny plus my name as one of my daughters is now also a Nanima (if you’re still following me!). My husband is Grampy to all after my own father.

My 8 year old and 5 year old grandchildren call me Gee-ma, but my 2 year old has adapted it to suit and calls me Ee-ma as she can’t quite manage the G.

We’re all Nanny, my Nan was, my Mum was, my sisters and I are and my grandchildren’s maternal GMs are too including a GGM! The only one not is a Nien as she was living in Wales when the first GC was born. It’s very much an affectionate title.

That's lovely, Barry.

Our first grandchild christened me Barry to the great amusement of my daughters, and now it’s stuck. I think toddlers will call you anything easy to say, it’s up to you whether you correct them or not. I didn’t!

Retroladywriting

To begin with I chose Grandma, then my DIL's mum wanted to be Grandma as well. I was told that it would be fine to have two, but I wasn't happy my nose was slightly out of joint, as I'd chosen Grandma first. Then I decided that being called "Nanny" would be an honour as my mum was Nanny and she died just before our GS, her GGS, was born. Perfectly happy with that.

My mum died also just befor our first GC was born, her first GGC. I'm so sad that she missed her, though she did know what her name would be.

shysal

In our family there were Nannys in several generations, differentiated by adding their first or last name or other title, such as Nanny Pig and Nanny Cat according to their animals. Never any confusion. I think 'Grandma' sounds more straight-laced than I wanted to be.

Yes both myself and my DiL's mother are called Nanny, with out first names added.
I wanted to be called Nanny, my mother's mum was called Nanny followed by her surname - which is actually my own first name. It makes me feel a connection to her, she died when I was just 11 and I still feel a such pang when I think of her.

That was my only stipulation.
I wasn't going to be called "big" anything.

When my children were young they called my Mom 'Nan' or 'Nanny' and their great grandmother was 'Big Nan'.

I already had 3 grandchildren who called me Grandma before DS and DIL started their family. When their first child was born DIL said her mother wanted to be called Grandma. I said that’s ok, we can both be called Grandma followed by our first names. She said that she wasn’t happy about children using the first name so invented a ridiculous alternative name. It’s babyish but at least the children know who’s who!

My mother was Dutch and that is "Oma" in Dutch. However my children regularly got confused (as on my wife's side it was "Granny") and started with Gran...and moved to Oma so she was called Groma and it stuck!

I'm (definitely) Granny - as were my own mother and grandmother! The other grandmother is Gibraltarian and hence Mamma.

My cousins called our mutual grandmother Grandma, which sis and I always thought was a bit suspect.

I'm a Nain (sounds like nine) Welsh for grandma or another is Mamgu. so no rules at all.

I prefer Granny. For me Nan is short for a nanny.
In France ‘Nana’ is young girl', 'woman', 'girlfriend', 'wife', and sometimes 'mistress, it made my classes laugh.

Nanna. Nanny. I also get PG. (pauline gran) she made it up 💕

I hated the idea of being called granny …..but as soon as my first grandchild was born, I decided I loved it! So Granny I have been ever since - they are now 20 and 22!

I’m Mamgu ( pronounced Mam gi ..hard g ). The Welsh version of Grandma.

My mum sadly died two weeks before her first great grandson was born, but I think she would have liked to have been Great Nana. Great Aunt sounds very old though!
My first grandchild is due soon after Christmas, a long awaited for IVF baby, and I don’t mind what I’m called as long as I get lots of baby cuddles🥰

Could you suggest Nanna to your mother ? A close alternative ?

Depends on which child for me…
My Sons children call me Nana and my Daughter’s child calls me Grandma.
Makes no odds really does it?
The other grandmothers are both called Nanny. And great-grandmother is Nan.

I'm granny and both my counterparts are known as grandma. DH is grampy and his counterparts are both Grandad.

I've concluded that everyone just gets called what they want to be called. Yes, it involves duplication - but you find a way round it (adding in a first name or surname for example). If you have a few generations still around or a blended family, it's impossible for everyone to have something unique.

Is your mother Nanny already if so she continues to be Nanny with the addition of Grand or something As others have said the child will sort it out for itself like my sister did Granpa became Banga

I'm Nana to my three. My grandmothers were both Nanna with their surname to distinguish. My own mother was Nanna to my three and to my sister's two.

My late mother was Nana, and when her GGD was born we all decided that I should be Nan. Worked for us.