When my first grandchild, Nolan, is due in early February, the question I hear most isn’t “Are you excited?” It’s “What will you be called as a grandma?” In today’s youth‑oriented culture, becoming a grandmother often feels like a branding decision.
How the Trend Began
Cathy Livingstone, author of The Best Grandmother Names Ever, says the practice of picking a creative name started with the baby‑boom generation. Earlier generations typically used plain “Grandma” followed by a first or last name, or a traditional term like “Nana” or “Gram.” As boomers entered grandparenthood, they wanted a moniker that matched their active, modern lives – many were running corporations and marathons and didn’t want a name that evoked the stereotype of an apron‑wearing elder.
Celebrity Influence
Public figures have helped popularize the trend. Katie Couric chose “Gogo” because she’s always on the go. On Couric’s podcast, Kris Jenner revealed she goes by “Lovey,” and Goldie Hawn’s grandchildren call her “Glam‑Ma” in her memoir. These high‑profile examples show that a fun, personalized name can become part of a family’s identity.
Why Grandmothers Choose Certain Names
Madonna Harrington Meyer, a sociology professor at Syracuse University and author of Grandmothers at Work, links the phenomenon to a broader cultural focus on youth. “It’s generally related to somebody who’s really trying to minimize any signs of aging in their life,” she explains. She adds that there’s nothing wrong with that – it’s simply a style choice.
Heritage also plays a major role. My sister selected “Nonna” to honor our Italian roots, and our mother preferred “Nonnie.” Other cultural variations include “Yaya” (Greek), “Oma” (German), “Abuela” (Spanish), “Gogo” (Zulu) and “Ama” (Taiwanese). Lynn Hardin of Frisco, Texas, chose “Unci” to honor her Lakota Sioux great‑grandmother; she says the word means “grandmother earth” and stands for respect and wisdom in Lakota culture.
Family Tradition and Generational Continuity
Some women adopt a name that has been used by a beloved grandmother in their family. Corinna Windon of Wilmington, Delaware, now calls herself “Mommom,” a title that dates back at least four generations in her family. She says the name reminds her of summers spent with her own “Mommom” and hopes to pass the legacy on.
Harrington Meyer notes that when a name is handed down, it can become a beautiful story that weaves through multiple generations.
Regional Preferences
A YouGov survey shows regional differences in the most common titles. “Grandma” remains the national favorite, but in the Northeast “Nana” is frequent, the Midwest leans toward “Grandmother,” the South prefers “Granny,” and the West often uses “Gramma.”
What Grandchildren Actually Say
On the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group (over 300,000 members), I asked members what they would call themselves. The top responses were “Gigi,” “Mimi” and “Nana.” Some unique picks emerged, such as Emily Cathcart of Nashville, who chose “ChaCha” because it’s fun and easy to say. She advises, “Make it a cool one, because it will live on in family stories.”
Grandfathers tend to stick with simpler names. Livingstone reports that most grandfathers are called “Pops” or “PopPop,” with far fewer creative options.
Who Gets to Decide?
Choosing a name isn’t always final. First‑born grandchildren often claim “naming rights” because they are the first to use a term. Melissa Davis Haller of Cincinnati tried “Mimi” and later “Birdie,” but her grandson never repeated them. She eventually settled on the classic “Grandma,” which the child pronounced “Gumma” and the name stuck.
Other families let parents or even in‑laws influence the title. Jeni Rogers of Naperville, Illinois, was christened “Honey” by her daughter‑in‑law after the kind teacher in the movie Matilda. Rogers, a former teacher of 38 years, embraced the compliment.
Guidelines for Grandparents
Harrington Meyer advises that grandparents consider clarity, especially in blended families where children may have multiple sets of grandparents. Distinct names help children know who is coming for dinner.
Livingstone emphasizes that grandparents are vital community members – they appear on school field trips, at soccer games and in countless family moments. Choosing a name is part of celebrating that role.
As for me, I’m still weighing options – Nana, Grandma Steffi, Mimi – and secretly hoping Nolan will pick a name that feels just right.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
