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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wish people wouldn't use the word "nana"

675 replies

IDoughnutKnow · 26/07/2023 19:25

Unless you are a toddler and are talking about bananas.

People never used it back in the good old days of MN.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Bey · 26/07/2023 19:52

Nana is commonly used where I live. I don't like Granny or Nanny but it's not used much here. So I guess it's what you're used to hearing.

Puffalicious · 26/07/2023 19:53

biddyboo · 26/07/2023 19:43

My mil was very insistent that she would be called Grandma only, not Nana or Nanny. She is a snob too. My mother (in Ireland) is Nanny.

This! My EX Mil insisted on Grandma. She too is an insufferable snob. My beautiful, amazing mammy was nanny. My DC have said when I'm of age they want me to be a nanny- I would have nothing else.

My sister decided she was too young (47- that IS young) to be anything other than Nonna. Despite having zero Italian connection it suits her very well.

GlobetrottingPercy · 26/07/2023 19:53

JaniceBattersby · 26/07/2023 19:48

Pretty much everyone in the North West of England uses the term nana.

Yep, I came to say I am from the NW and have a Nana. I’ve never heard anyone say that Nana is common and you certainly wouldn’t say it about her.

Original poster
IDoughnutKnow · 26/07/2023 19:53

@AnotherThingToThinkAbout That's actually an interesting link, and it surprises me (though maybe it shouldn't). I thought everyone in real life used "Granny" and it was only on MN that people use Nan or Nana-pronounced-Nanna.

OP posts:
WiseUpJanetWeiss · 26/07/2023 19:53

Notimeforaname · 26/07/2023 19:50

Firstly the shortening for banana is pronounced narna not nana.

Definitely a regional thing. Small children would say nana in Ireland, to refer to bananas.

You say banana, I say banana, let’s call the whole thing off…

Notimeforaname · 26/07/2023 19:54

we have a granda without the D.

Same here. Extremely popular in Dublin. Everyone I know says Nanna/Nanny and Granda. Because many call their own parents Ma and Da. I personally would never use dad in my family. It's always been Da.

Lovingitallnow · 26/07/2023 19:54

@WiseUpJanetWeiss

i think you mean - let's call the whole thing arf

emotionalpuddle · 26/07/2023 19:54

My parents mothers are nanna and nanny (to differentiate between the two), their parents (so my great grandparents) are all grandmas. To me grandma means you're very old and nanna/nanny means you're the younger grandparent? 🙈

WibblyWobblyLane · 26/07/2023 19:54

Hmm we are NW and I've never heard nan being used besides on TV. Perhaps it's a Mancunian thing. It's definitely grandma (with the dropped d) around our parts.

OnlyFannys · 26/07/2023 19:54

The word nana makes me think about a wonderful woman who meant the absolute world to me and her love and belief in me is what drove me to be work hard and become.the person I am today. I have nothing but affection for the word nana. Maybe keep your snobby opinions to yourself.

Original poster
IDoughnutKnow · 26/07/2023 19:55

Saschka · 26/07/2023 19:52

Yep, it’s clearly this - OP thinks this place is too plebby these days, much naicer in the good old days.

Show quote history

Well, it was certainly different. I'm going back a long time, though.

OP posts:
Bellatrixxx · 26/07/2023 19:55

You’re just trying to push buttons in a horrible way OP. Everyone who reads this who is or has a Nana will feel a bit sad reading it, and offended. No need, go somewhere else to piss people off…..there’s literally nothing to dislike about this name/term of endearment unless you’re bored and hunting for a reaction on here! Embarrassing.

Puffalicious · 26/07/2023 19:55

IDoughnutKnow · 26/07/2023 19:53

@AnotherThingToThinkAbout That's actually an interesting link, and it surprises me (though maybe it shouldn't). I thought everyone in real life used "Granny" and it was only on MN that people use Nan or Nana-pronounced-Nanna.

What?! You thought that everyone was the same as you? How very MN of you.

I'll bet you're from the bubble that is SE England?

Notimeforaname · 26/07/2023 19:55

You say banana, I say banana, let’s call the whole thing off…
🤣🤣

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 26/07/2023 19:55

IDoughnutKnow · 26/07/2023 19:53

@AnotherThingToThinkAbout That's actually an interesting link, and it surprises me (though maybe it shouldn't). I thought everyone in real life used "Granny" and it was only on MN that people use Nan or Nana-pronounced-Nanna.

Of course not! Pretty much everyone I know has/had a Nana/Nanna.

That’s probably why I chose Granny actually - Nana conjours up the image of an old person and I’m not old, no siree…

FairAcre · 26/07/2023 19:55

What a snobby comment. Seriously

BinkyBeaufort · 26/07/2023 19:55

I'm with you op. Nanna sets my teeth on edge. Nannies are female goats or are paid to do childcare.

TommyNever · 26/07/2023 19:56

If we're not allowed to say Nana we'll have to refer to her as "Ms Mouskouri".

rugbychick1 · 26/07/2023 19:57

My grandmother was called Nana. She was Scottish, very stylish, very clever probably middle class. I always thought of Nana being a young grandmother, and Granny as being old. She died 11 years ago. I miss her and wish she'd seen my DD grow up

8misskitty8 · 26/07/2023 19:57

Rude !

I’m Scottish and Nana and great nana are commonly used.

AlbertaAnnie · 26/07/2023 19:57

I’m from the north east and it has always been nanna 👵 ( see even the emoji knows)
Everyone here that I know uses nanna, always has and always will and I hope to be a nanna myself someday.
you clearly haven’t ventured very far from your hole op. Also you sound like a snob.
long may the nannas continue 🎉

MichaelAndEagle · 26/07/2023 19:57

You thought everyone in real life used Granny?

You thought everyone does?? Really?

I find that hard to believe.

Surely you just mean you've only met people that use Granny?

CornishGem1975 · 26/07/2023 19:57

Bellatrixxx · 26/07/2023 19:55

You’re just trying to push buttons in a horrible way OP. Everyone who reads this who is or has a Nana will feel a bit sad reading it, and offended. No need, go somewhere else to piss people off…..there’s literally nothing to dislike about this name/term of endearment unless you’re bored and hunting for a reaction on here! Embarrassing.

This. But I would have added 'you prick' somewhere in there. It's just a crappy attempt at an inflammatory post.

Dentistlakes · 26/07/2023 19:57

Isn’t it a regional thing? My mother is Welsh and is Nana, my MIL is Scottish and she’s Granny. We asked them what they would like to be called before the first grandchild was born. Both mine were Nana (Welsh).

Puffalicious · 26/07/2023 19:57

Notimeforaname · 26/07/2023 19:54

we have a granda without the D.

Same here. Extremely popular in Dublin. Everyone I know says Nanna/Nanny and Granda. Because many call their own parents Ma and Da. I personally would never use dad in my family. It's always been Da.

Interestingly, here in the West of Scotland Granda is v popular, as is papa. My own dad was papa, as was my own (Scottish) grandfather. My English one was Grampa.