by Bridgett Kelly

Created on: March 31, 2009

Grandmothers are very special people in our lives. The names we give them as children in my opinion shape who they are to us. Also as we grow into adults and have children of our own, our own mothers become grandmothers and named by our children. This may not be in all cases as some grandmothers already have their "grandma name" picked out.

For myself growing up I had two grandmothers and three great grandmothers. Four of those I called Mamaw and one I called MacMama. I had always called them this because it was what I was taught to call them. Not really being taught but having heard them called by these names. For example I had Mamaw Fannie,Mamaw Kate,Mamaw Inez,Mamaw Helen and MacMama. I have also heard grandmothers being called Granny, Memow and Grangran. These names are very common where I am from in Mississippi. It is just the way it is. However there are other names given to grandmothers.

My son, neices and nephews call my husband's mother Grammy while they call his grandparents Mimie and MawMaw. My son calls my mother Nanny and my only living grandparent Mawmaw Kate. My soon to be sister in law calls her grandmother Mimie. There are so many names for grandmothers both unique and old and popular.

Among those names are Mamaw,Grandmother,Mimie,Nana,Nanny,Grammy,Granna,Gra n and I could go on and on. Each name is just as the grandmother:Special. Grandmothers are so special and their names mean alot more than just grandparent. It is who they are to a child. It is how we remember them as we grow older ourselves.

I think it is a great thing for a first born grandchild to begin the name to carry on. It has to be so meaningful to the grandmother who is named for life!

Popular names for grandmothers are also in my opinion traditional and common. At least for me where I live. I cannot say what others call their grandparents in other states or countries but I am certain they are just as special.

Each grandmother is different and so is her name. Even if she may share the same "Name" it is still somewhat different to each child. It is just something that I can imagine only a grandmother can appreciate. Rather you have a mamaw,mime,granny,memow,nana or any other name you call her, I know that it is popular to you because it is a name that you have always given. Being popular to me does not always mean what the world likes or does. It is simply what our families as individuals think about the special lady in which I always called Mamaw.

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