I’m going to be a grandmother, at least in the sense that a child of mine is having a child. But I’m not sure if I’ll be a “Grandma” in the name sense.
But I wonder why I think that. There’s nothing wrong with Grandma. I grew up with two Grandmothers and each was called Grandma. I’m not sure when we got away from Grandma.
I know my mom, who was young when she became a grandmother for the first time (just ask her), did not want to be called Grandma.
She’s been Nana through five grandsons and one great-grandson and will be for the new one on the way. My great-grandma was Cookie-mama, because she was already called “Grandma” and she baked cookies all the time – thus what started as Grandma, quickly became Cookie-mama to her great-grandchildren.
My mother-in-law is Gramma to my oldest two, then Grammy to my niece and finally Mimi to my youngest son.
I can’t be a Grammy or a Mimi because she’s it and there should be no usurpers to her throne.
But there are a zillion cute, quirky names out there these days. I know, I’ve Googled.
Since I’m a little late to the game among my peers, I’m finding that a lot of the “new” names are taken.
My sister is G-ma, a name I’d never even heard of before her grandson was born. But since then, well, it’s like when you drive a blue car and suddenly all you see are blue cars. And in the last couple years, I’ve met more than a few G-ma’s.
Gigi is another popular “new” Grandma name, but I already know quite a few fab Gigi’s.
Someone suggested grandchildren should use my first name, but I don’t like that idea. I want a cozy, warm, loving attachment that a special name has.
Like Gaga, I love that name, not just for the singer. Or Glamma – now that’s cute, but might be considered a bit presumptuous on my part.
I thought about Granny, nobody’s called Granny anymore and it could be cute, but I keep seeing Irene Ryan in my head. You have to be old enough to be a grandma to even get that reference.
There are many Mee-maw’s out there who are loving and loved – but I cannot see myself carrying off the moniker.
I love many of the traditional ethnic names for Grandma, but without a claim to the ethnicity I’d feel like a fraud. But if I had a choice, I’d go Polish. Zsa-Zsa is one of their names for grandma. Who wouldn’t love to be called Zsa-Zsa it’s like Grandma and Glama rolled into one.
Then I remembered my great-grandmother on my father’s side. When I was a little girl, I called her Mimiere, it’s French Canadian name for Grandmother. It was what my Dad and Aunt always called her, too. A family name, an ethnicity I have a true claim to and a connection to my past. I think I found it.
Brenda’s column appears every Monday at noon, unless it doesn’t, which probably means she didn’t get around to it.
I am proudly Gramma. My mom was too. My MIL was Nana. My mom was Gramma Great to my oldest grandchildren.
I love that. specially Gramma Great – that’s awesome!
I had two grandmas. Addressed them as just grandma when we talked about one of them we used the last name. I am Grandma and have been since my mid 40’s. Gram when they talk to me and in a crowded mall, pool, or playground, Gram-cracker ((the food) cause of all the kids yelling grandma look at me) to get my attention. Some of my Grand kids have always called their other grandmother DD. Id rather be called what I am and now for several of my grand-kids the only grandparent they have. It is a lovely title.
I love that. My grandma’s were always grandma – although I must say that Gram-cracker is pretty funny!
I’m like you Brenda, I grew up with two grandmas. Now everyone is called everything but grandma. You will be a cool grandma no matter what.?
Thanks Marie – I’m gonna give it my best!
How about Mimi-short for Mimiere? Mimi is warm and cozy.❤
I love Mimi, my MIL is Mimi to my youngest son and she reigns supreme and holds the title proudly.
My grands call me Grandma most of the time, but when my granddaughter turned 11 and became cool, she started calling me “Granny L,” which I think is a perfect name!
You make Granny look good! How cool!
I wanted to try the ethnic thing too, but it didn’t pan out. A lot of Grandmothers of Polish descent are “Busia” or “Babusia”, or a few other variations there-of. I found “Babcia” (bob-cha) from a catalog of items and gifts from Poland, but most of my Polish friends were not familiar with that form, and it may have been just a “regional” variation…So to my best and only grandson, I am Gramma, and it’s music to my ears.
I enjoy your columns very much.
Busia is lovely, I understand the “regional” variation. When I actually Googled Mimiere, I learned it has become a bit of French Canadian slang meaning Old Woman. Which is kind of interesting too.
I’m going the same thing! Our first grandson is starting to talk and is totally confused with the two grandmas, and I don’t care what he decides to call me as long as it isn’t Mee-maw. Your column today was just perfect for me!
You have to let me know what you decide. What about Grammy Pammy? Too much?
I think you mean – Memere.
(accent on the first and second “e”.
I have found it spelled Memere, Mimiere and Mimere. I think Memere makes more sense, thank you very much! Can you share it phonetically?
Growing up, we always said “Mih-meer”
I became a (step) grandma at a young age and I didn’t want to be called grandma because I was so young. I wanted to be called Nana. Sometimes they call me that & sometimes it’s grandma. I don’t care either way anymore! My son used to call my mom, Mee Maw & he used to call his other grandma, mommy maw!
I wanted to be called Nana, the first time she called by my first name. Lol. Since then my grand daughter calls me Nana. Maybe your grandchild will come up with his/her own name for you. Which woulg be really cool.
You are so right!
Give the baby a crack at it, they come up with the best!
So true – but I still plan to lay a foundation. Otherwise I’ll be Granny Grunt – my kids have a weird sense of humor. 😉
With that many names, you must be well loved. Mommy maw is a new one!
Wow. My grandmother on my Mother’s side was Mimiere, my grandfather was Pipiere. Everyone called her Mimiere – even the neighbor kids. I love this.
Lovely!
I was going to suggest Grandmere but I LOVE Mimiere. I chose to honor my Italian heritage and went with Nonna, which is what I called my grandmother. FORMER son in law called me Nonna Bologna. My Mom was Granny to my children and bisGranny to my grandchildren
Nona Bologna!!! That is the best.
I grew up with 2 grandmas and 2 great grandmas all living close in the area. One grandma was called Gramma and the other was Grammy. Now the one great grandma was called Granny and the other was Grandma Bill because she was married to great Grandpa Bill. We kids knew who we were talking about and the G. parents just spoiled us all rotten. We loved it!
Wow, how lucky were you with two grandmas and two great-grandmas!
I never had a nana, nonnie or mee-maw. Not even a grandma. What I did have were a Babcia (pronounced BA-cha) and Grandmere, courtesy of their Polish and French-Canadian ancestry, respectively. No grandad or grandpa, either — I had Dziadzia (JA-ja) and Grandpere. (Poor Grandpere … Grandmere dubbed him with that monicker even though he was Norwegian.)
I do love Babcia and Dziadzia. I had a Pipiere and Mimiere (spellings not likely correct). Grandmere is the more formal and I don’t think I’m Grandmere material – sounds a little too “Grand” in the imposing adjective sense. I’ve learned that more recently in the French Canadian venacular that Memere (alt.sp) has come to mean Old Lady. Could be a good fit.
Maybe? Brema? (Brenda + Ma)?
Hey I like that!!!! Brema….very cool and unique.
My grandson calls me YaYa. Makes me smile every time. I hear it.
I love YaYa! What a loving name.
My granddaughter had five grandmas at one time. When she got old enough to speak and understand she gave us all individual names: Pizza grandma, around-the-corner Grandma, Paka’s Grandma, and 2 others I can’t recall now. The kid will figure it out.
Pizza grandma pretty much explains itself. Those are great names!!
Glammy?
We had Grandmas Hat, Holly, and Two. Great Grammy Hat always wore a hat and outlived numerous husbands, she taught us to play Indian baseball. (I think she made it up). Grandma Holly lived in Holly. Grandma Too got her name from an argument among young cousins at a family reunion, “she’s my grandma too” and it stuck.
No kids but I’m a Grand Uncle several times over, I’m simply Uncle Skip to most. I prefer Grand to Great but will be great grand uncle before long.