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Baby names

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Original poster

What to call grandmothers?

58 replies

Orlea · 30/01/2014 12:15

What do you (or rather your children) call your children's grandmothers? Both DM and MIL are Scottish.

DM's mum was Mama (her father was Papa) and Dad's mum was Granny (I never knew his father). DH called all of his grandparents 'Gran/Granpa+Surname', as in Gran Smith vs Gran Jones, which I find a bit weird for some reason!

I quite like the idea of continuing the 'Mama' tradition, but DM is already 'Granny' to other grandchildren, and I don't think MIL will like it (and DM might not like that being used). I don't really mind that much, and we will ask them their preference when the time comes, but I'm just curious as to what other people like/dislike and what combinations you have for either side...

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WaveySky · 30/01/2014 14:08

My DC have a Nanny (DstepM), Grandad, Nana (DM), Nanny Surname (My GM) and Granny (MIL).

I had Nanny's and Grandad's and hate the word Granny, I think MIL is fighting a losing battle as the DC say Nanny all the time due to the others being that.

elQuintoConyo · 30/01/2014 13:22

DM is Nan (her, rather enforced, choice)
DF is Grandad
DFil is Abuelo
DMil would have been Abuela but sadly died before DS was born
(ILs are Spanish, obviously!)

My GPs were Grandma Surname/Grandad Surname, for both sets.

MrsCliveStanden · 30/01/2014 13:11

You might find that the names evolve over time as your children grow. Mil and her partner were granny first name and his nickname that everyone uses. Fil and his wife were Grandad and granny first name. Ds now calls mil by her first name and fil is grandpa.

HoratiaDrelincourt · 30/01/2014 13:04

We asked them.

We would have preferred to avoid duplication (eg Nana Sue and Nana Julie) but in the end they all chose differently anyway. So they have Grandma and Grandad, and Granny and Grandpa.

Mind you, our pfb was also pfGC on both sides.

squoosh · 30/01/2014 12:59

Granny and Grandad.

CointreauVersial · 30/01/2014 12:58

My DCs have:

Nana and Grandad (DH's parents)
Granny and Digs (DM and DSDad)
Gan-Gan and Grandpa (DSM and DDad)
Gran (great grandmother)

The names Digs and Gan-Gan were family names passed down through my step-parents' families, and served quite well as names for grandparents who aren't strictly.....grandparents!

I myself had a Grandma, but that's quite an "old lady" name!

ToffeeJungle · 30/01/2014 12:52

My DM is Nanna, my DF is Grandad.
My DMIL is Grandma, my DFIL is Grandad.

It was their choice and we're happy with that!

BartBaby · 30/01/2014 12:47

I always called my mams mam 'nanna'. So my ds calls my mam 'nanna' aswell. DH called his mams mam 'grandma'. So ds calls dh's mam 'grandma'. The men have always been grandads.