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Original poster

What is wrong with Granny?

418 replies

Jane958 · 14/06/2025 20:05

Both my grannies were Granny.
My mother was Granny.
My sister has chosen Nana, why?
Is this an indication of how far we are plummeting towards the bottom?

OP posts:
Mischance · 15/06/2025 21:05

I am Grandma to some, Mama to others and occasionally Moo ... don't ask ...
Their GPs on the other sides of their families are Nanny and Granny.
Not sure quite what has pulled OP's chain. Grandparents finish up with a variety of names.

Courgettezuchinni · 15/06/2025 21:05

In our family we have a (great) granny, grandma, nanna and (step) nonna in the family. Grandad, grampa and Pops for the men!

BeckyBloom · 15/06/2025 21:04

When I was a kid in the 1970’s my mum became a grandma. She was very ‘aspiring’ and thought nana was working class. Which we were anyway! Actually she probably thought it common!

Ladymeade · 15/06/2025 20:54

My maternal grandparents were Nana (as in banana as opposed to nanna) and Papa.

Dr13Hadley · 15/06/2025 20:34

My DC have a granny, and two nanas.

Happyonfriday · 15/06/2025 20:30

In our family we have a gran, granny & grandma… (kids all just say gran or grandma not great gran etc)
i don’t want to be any of those! I have no idea what but I don’t like any of them. Won’t use Nan as it’s actually a family members name…

I think your sister probably feels it’s time for a change instead of many grannies in the family!

Jumpers4goalposts · 15/06/2025 20:30

In our house Granny was for the Great Grandparents and Nanny was for the Grandparents. No real reason.

AngelaBB · 15/06/2025 20:22

I love bring called Grannie, it’s the best.

Starling7 · 15/06/2025 20:19

Nana is cooler

Dnchance · 15/06/2025 20:18

What’s wrong with being working class? The aristocracy despise the middle class—you aren’t at the top of the chain. What’s the point in looking down on the people who do the real work. I loved my working class Nana who brought eight kids into the world—and loved all their thirty children.

Yellowshirt · 15/06/2025 20:17

I had a nan and grandma and two grandads which I thought was normal as a kid.
I married an English woman whose parents are Welsh and we had a daughter born in England.

My now ex wife's dad wanted to be called bampa which is ok for a young child but hearing her say bampa now age 20 is absolutely awful.

NavyBee · 15/06/2025 20:16

I‘m from the UK but live in New Zealand (and have for the last 40 years). Nana is very common here - I’m Nana and so the other grandma to my daughter’s kids. Our choice - we were both asked. Granny sounds very old to me and Grandma is my mother in law who is still alive. Is OP’s feeling about Nana a class thing? Sounds working class? I’m a bit puzzled by the race to the bottom comment.

OMGafourth · 15/06/2025 20:11

My grandmother's were both grandmas. My great-grandmothers were both nanny. So nanny always feels really old to me 😅

deeahgwitch · 15/06/2025 20:08

I had a Nana, my daughter had a Nana and hopefully I will be a Nana.
Or Mamo which is Irish for Grandmother/ Grandma/Granny/ Nana/ Nanny.

I would consider the use of Nana to be more upmarket than Nanny.
I’m in Ireland though so it may be different in the UK

Trishthedish · 15/06/2025 20:06

My children called my dad Dedah. My mum was granny. I am granny. My friend is Gary as her grandchildren mispronounced granny. Who cares what they call you as long as you are loved and they love you in return.

LiteralLunatic · 15/06/2025 19:57

We had a great grandmama. I rather like grandmama, what’s the verdict on that? 😂

FedupofArsenalgame · 15/06/2025 19:51

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 15/06/2025 19:35

I've never heard "Nana " in my area - HC England.

My DGD in NZ calls me Nana - not keen , but I go with it.

Really Quite a few here SE home counties. Including me

Deepf60 · 15/06/2025 19:44

cumbriaisbest · 14/06/2025 21:08

I hate Nana, it sounds common.

No it doesn't it's friendly

Whatthebarnacles · 15/06/2025 19:44

Plummeting? OTT much 😅
FWIW I'm 40, and my GM was Nana to me too. So it's hardly a new thing.

Deepf60 · 15/06/2025 19:39

Viviennemary · 14/06/2025 20:49

I think nana is frightfully common. Granny or Grandma.

Get real! Ffs! Absolutely nothing frightfully common about "nana"

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 15/06/2025 19:35

I've never heard "Nana " in my area - HC England.

My DGD in NZ calls me Nana - not keen , but I go with it.

Lovemeapickledgherkin · 15/06/2025 19:32

PiggieWig · 14/06/2025 20:07

Why is nana ‘plummeting towards the bottom’?

Yes, I found this offensive, to be honest. I’m from North East England and called both grandmothers nana. Unsure why OP feels this is a sign of moral decline.

Deepf60 · 15/06/2025 19:32

Jane958 · 14/06/2025 20:05

Both my grannies were Granny.
My mother was Granny.
My sister has chosen Nana, why?
Is this an indication of how far we are plummeting towards the bottom?

Towards the bottom of what? I insist on Nana, hate granny, or nanny!

JustMeAndTheFish · 15/06/2025 19:31

Jane958 · 14/06/2025 20:05

Both my grannies were Granny.
My mother was Granny.
My sister has chosen Nana, why?
Is this an indication of how far we are plummeting towards the bottom?

I had two nanas; nana from B and nana from T. I don’t expect my daughters to have children and, although I’ll love them if they do arrive, I don’t “need” grandchildren so I’d just be happy to be called by my name.

VexedofVirginiaWater · 15/06/2025 19:22

I had 2 Nanas, my children had a Nana (my mum) and a Grandma. I don't have grandchildren and it doesn't look as though I ever will, so I won't be anything. If people choose to look down their nose at any of those terms, well, who do they think they are?