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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Young grandmother names!

124 replies

Subeccoo · 04/02/2019 08:16

My 21 year old dd is making me a grandma just in time for my 40th birthday!
I'm happy to be nana (because Janice in Benidorm is my grandparent goal but my dd says she'll call the baby Coolio if I go for that) .
Does anyone go by anything less conventional than nan, granny etc?
I'm a bit excited!

OP posts:
PivotPivotPivottt · 04/02/2019 09:06

Congratulations!

I think your right to stick with Nana. My grandparents chose to be called alternative names and growing up I was really embarrassed of this in front of friends. I'm 27 now and I still cringe calling my gran by that name. My papa is no longer here but his alternative name was less embarrassing and I have heard others use it. My gran's name is something I've never heard anyone use I've no idea where the name came from.

My children call both sets of grandparents Gran/Granny and Papa.

I've noticed that no one on Mumsnet ever uses Papa but everyone where I'm from uses it. I'm from Scotland if that makes a difference.

Original poster
Subeccoo · 04/02/2019 09:09

I'm not gonna put it here cos it's a family name and I have cousins that use it that don't know my daughter is expecting yet, but my dad has a different name but it works and is lovely and my husband even though he's not my daughter's dad is going to use it or it'll disappear from the family all together (cousins husband's may use it but we don't really see that side of the family)
But I get that cute names are a bit naff for the kids when they get older

OP posts:
MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 04/02/2019 09:12

I hate Nan, Nana or Nanny - sounds so old! Some of my family use Grannyma which I like.

apostropheuse · 04/02/2019 09:14

We called my grandmother by her first name, at her request. She was my only geandparent as the others had died quite young and I really missed having someone to call Granny or Granda. My children called their grandparents Granny first name (!x 2), Granda and Papa (his choice).

When I was about to become a grandmother at 46 I was dreading being called Granny and thought of all kinds of different names I could use. Then my first grandchild arrived and I was delighted to be called Granny (or sometimes) Gran and I love it. I absolutely hate Nana or Nanny, they remind me of a goat.

barbiemummy20 · 04/02/2019 09:15

My mum was early 50s when I had wee one and she is Gran, my gran is GG to my wee one 🥰

Fishbiscuits · 04/02/2019 09:16

My kids have a mammar, but that’s due to my daughters inability to say grandma when she was tiny

LordPickle · 04/02/2019 09:18

I had a Mimi...she was ace.

fortifiedwithtea · 04/02/2019 09:18

Your grandchild will name YOU 😂 and you will be that name for all other grandchildren.

My pfb who is now nearly 21 herself named my mum after a children’s tv character and it stuck, . Cant say what as its too identifying 😉

JaceLancs · 04/02/2019 09:19

Not got any GC yet but like Lola
Is there anything you can combine with either your first or second name
I have a friend Jan and she became Janma
My DC had a GrannieAnnie, Nannyann, and a Grandma in their lives

Paperdolly · 04/02/2019 09:20

My friend is called Nana Cake by her grandchildren. She always gets the baking out when they visit.

I think I’d be called Nana Hugs....I have no skills 😔

Idonotlikeyoudonaldtrump · 04/02/2019 09:21

Amongst my friends we have Grandparents called

Grammar
Pops
Nonna
Grams
Poppa
Nain and Taid (Welsh)
Grumps
Gan-Gan

BlueThesaurusRex · 04/02/2019 09:22

my granddaughter calls me Enay Enay(Nana spelled out!)

That’s so cute!!

Laska2Meryls · 04/02/2019 09:22

My Dgs I have my first initial and -anni (so think Danni although thats not my initial ) as my GM . name ( I would have preferred being nana , granny or even grandma, but as DGS mum split with my DS (his father) before DGS was born and she also has a step mum and her own M (and her new partners M) in her life they got the 'granny' names .complicated with split families

I dont mind , he knows he is my DGS (as well as all theres) and at last i get to see him lots

Justwaitingforaline · 04/02/2019 09:24

My mum became grandmother to my DD at 43 and she goes by Plum ( something her dad used to call her when she was little)

Her friend also became a grandmother at a similar age and goes by Kitty!
Other I know include Whizzer, Yaya, Mimaw

StealthPolarBear · 04/02/2019 09:24

Mil didnt want to be nana as she said it sounded old and chose to be granny. To me granny is a very elderly frail lady.
Anyway, granny she is and it suits her and she is not frail thankfully :)
Congratulations op!

weleasewoderick22 · 04/02/2019 09:25

I really hate nan, nanny, nana. These are women paid to look after children. I also hate the assumption that all grandmothers are called a variation of nan. Just my opinion.

My 7 year old grandson corrects anyone who calls me nan, he tells them I'm grandma not nan.

StealthPolarBear · 04/02/2019 09:25

But your my age and I am far far too young to even be thinking about grandparenting. So I'm going to assume you're a troll ;)

MrsWillGardner · 04/02/2019 09:27

I’m 37 and if one of my kids was about to give me a grandkid I’d be Gran all the way! Don’t know why but I think it’s cool!!

StealthPolarBear · 04/02/2019 09:27

Supergran :o

lamazdastuff · 04/02/2019 09:29

I think Kris Jenner's grandchildren call her 'Lovey' which I think is quite nice

CandyflossKid · 04/02/2019 09:30

My stepdaughter gave birth last year - she told all the grandparents what their 'names' would be. I am Nanna. I would have preferred Granny tbh but was told as I'm the youngest 'grandparent' that it didnt seem right.

RosieposiePuddingandPi · 04/02/2019 09:31

My mum hated the idea of being 'grandma' so we call her Grammy and my dad is Grampy.

YerAWizardHarry · 04/02/2019 09:32

My mum became a Grandma at 37 and is just Grandma.
Grandma from DS's dad side is Nanny-(name). She's exs dads wife and was only 30 when DS was born.
DPs mum is Nana although the oldest of the 3.

Original poster
Subeccoo · 04/02/2019 09:33

But your my age and I am far far too young to even be thinking about grandparenting. So I'm going to assume you're a troll ;)

You're so kind Grin I was a mama at 18, so my girl who'll be nearly 22 when her baby arrives is positively geriatric in comparison!

OP posts:
angieloumc · 04/02/2019 09:33

I'm Nanna and doesn't make me feel old.
My mum is Grey Nanna, she loves that as she has grey hair!