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Nanna or Nana?

(66 Posts)
Liz46 Fri 10-Mar-17 06:30:25

I live in England and have always used 'Nanna' but 'Nana' seems to have become more popular. Which is correct?

grannyrebel7 Sun 17-Apr-22 20:14:10

Both my grandmothers were Nannas with two Ns. I couldn't bear to be called Nanna myself, so I'm a Granny. I'd like to know where the word nanna originates from, even though I can't bear it. All my friends are nannas or nannies. They say granny sounds really old. I don't care though smile

Grannmarie Sun 17-Apr-22 20:12:04

We are Gran and Papa to all our grandchildren, just as my Mum and Dad were to ours.
Our paternal grandmother was our Nanna, which was unusual in our part of Scotland in those days, 1950s. Maternal grandmother was our Gran.

Happysexagenarian Sun 17-Apr-22 19:56:22

I am Nana to some of my GC and Nanny to the others.
Our children called both their GMs Nanny.
I called my GM Nana, she said grandmother made her feel old!

Grandma70s Sun 17-Apr-22 12:27:47

My parents wanted to be called Grandmother and Grandfather, so that was what my children called them. Their relationship wasn’t remotely formal, and it seemed quite natural to use those terms. On the other hand, I could never bring myself to say Mother, which was my mother’s preference, so once I stopped calling her Mummy I didn’t call her anything. She wouldn’t have allowed Mum. My brother called her Ma. (The upper classes, of course, aren’t embarrassed to say Mummy at any age.)

Witzend Sun 17-Apr-22 12:03:15

Bluebelle, it’s very funny to me that you think ‘Grandma’ sounds posh!
To me it just sounds old and fat! (I am Granny.)

Grandmamma,, on the other hand…..
I did once know someone who called her GM that, but it sounded to me like someone trying a bit too hard to sound upper-crust-y.

honeyrose Sun 17-Apr-22 08:57:25

I’m nanna, nana or nannie - I notice my daughter often spells it differently as if she doesn’t know which is the correct spelling. I’m normally a stickler for correct spelling, but I’m not too bothered about the spelling of nanna/nana/nannie.

Spice101 Sun 17-Apr-22 02:43:06

The OP was not asking about what to be called but which of the two spellings Nana or Nanna was correct.

mokryna Sun 17-Apr-22 00:40:15

aggie

Another Resurrected thread from 2017 ???

True and by a new poster.

Cabbie21 Sat 16-Apr-22 19:19:26

I am Granny, as was my mum to my children. My grandchildren also have Grandma and Nanny, thanks to remarriage. Other step grandparents and elderly relatives are called by their first names.
I had Grandma and Nan.

Esmay Sat 16-Apr-22 18:36:59

Hi Liz ,
I don't think that there 's a correct way of saying /spelling
Grandmother.

It's what you like prefer and choose in your family .

In mine - we all have pet names and that extends to grandparents too .

I've never been Grandma / Grannie /Gran /Nanna /Nan /Nannie and my mother was never called by those nanes either !

Libman Fri 15-Apr-22 20:15:02

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kittye Fri 15-Apr-22 20:02:14

Grandma sounds really old. Nanny is a child’s nurse. I’m a Nanna as was my mother and her mother. Some of my older grandchildren call me Nan ?

BigBertha1 Fri 15-Apr-22 18:25:51

I am Nanna Sue

Grannybags Fri 15-Apr-22 15:44:53

There I was reading this thread and came across my own post - 5 years ago!

I suppose it doesn't matter that it's such an old thread but as someone has already said it's sad when you see names of posters no longer with us

biglouis Fri 15-Apr-22 15:18:54

I used to use nan, nanna and granny.

I dont have any children so I am not any of those things.

Poppyred Fri 15-Apr-22 14:55:54

I’m Welsh so I’m a Nain.

Esspee Fri 15-Apr-22 14:45:22

I didn’t realise this was a zombie thread. Why do people do that?

Esspee Fri 15-Apr-22 14:43:03

Here in Scotland it is usually gran, granny or grandma. I would be horrified to be called a banana by my grandchildren.

MiniMoon Fri 15-Apr-22 14:28:00

Why resurrect a thread from 5 years ago? What's wrong with starting a new one?

I was quite upset reading an old thread and realising that some of the posters have since died. sad

NanOf8Girls Fri 15-Apr-22 14:14:04

My DGD2 at age 9 told me she wanted to call me Nanther. When I asked why, her reply was: half Nan and half Mother. She's 16 now.

Grandma70s Fri 15-Apr-22 13:54:50

I’m Grandma, the other one is Granny. I had a Grandma and a Granny myself. Never even heard Nana/Nanna/Nanny meaning Grandmother until I was grown up. A nanny is a children’s nurse, Nana is the dog in Peter Pan or the children’s nanny in Ballet Shoes.

Soroptimum Fri 15-Apr-22 13:48:33

I’m Nini. Strictly speaking I should be ‘Nain’, but I called my mum’s mum Nini.

Sardinia2020 Fri 15-Apr-22 13:48:12

I am mama, DH is pop

CountessFosco Fri 15-Apr-22 13:45:46

We are Grandmère and Grandpère as when our DGC were born, we still lived in France - it's not about to change now. Actually we love it ..... little bit different

Grandmadinosaur Fri 15-Apr-22 13:41:50

When GS was born he was the first GC for both sets of parents. I said to DIL I’d let her mum decide what she wanted to be called first. She is quite a traditionalist so I was quite surprised when she said Nanna. I’m very happy to be known as Grandma as it’s what we are and what I called my own Grandma. Our son called both Grandmas as such but with there Christian name on the end to differentiate.