Grandma's Naming Dilemma

grujii · November 2011

We told my family on Thanksgiving that we were expecting. We made each of them a shirt that said 'Baby Fujii [picture of a super cute owl] Arriving June 2012' Then on the back we put their "name" (auntie, uncle, Grandma, etc.)

My mom said that she didn't know if she wanted to go by what we had called our Grandmother (which was Grammie). I was totally fine because I want her to be called what she wants. I was fine with it, until she emailed me what she wants to be called.

She said she wants the baby to call her 'Nina.' I have not heard of this name being used as a term for Grandma. It is a real person's name. What if our kid has a friend names Nina - won't that be strange to also call your Grandma that? What are some names that your mom's or MIL want to be called? I want to give her some options...

sarahandeddiejune212008 · November 2011

My mom is Grandma, MIL is called the crazy lady that we don't talk to (she hasn't had anything to do with DD since she was born).

sweetgotham · November 2011

Using that logic, your child would be confused by two people with the same name (two Johns or Janes, for example). I think Nina is fine (and, frankly, better than 'grammie', which is very NMS). She is going to end up being a called a mix of grandma and Nina (since that will be how she refers to herself anyway) and there is really no point in making a big deal about it if that is what she prefers.

Still free to be me · November 2011

Are there any other grandkids? If so, your LO will probably call her the same thing they do.

We have referred to my mom as Gigi since DD was born. However, my niece and nephews call her Grandma. I call her Mom. DD has started referring to my mom as both Gigi and Grandma and very occasionally, Mom. Your kid will figure it out...

sweetgotham · November 2011

sarahandeddiejune212008:
My mom is Grandma, MIL is called the crazy lady that we don't talk to (she hasn't had anything to do with DD since she was born).

LOL, that is pretty much my own mother. I haven't talked with her since before the wedding.

dani2480 · November 2011

I think "Nina" is an odd choice, particularly considering it means "girl".

However, if it's really, really what she wants to be called I'd let her have it. It really looks more silly for her than for you or the baby, and if she's cool with that, then that's her deal. And I've definitely seen worse requests (like Grandmas who want their grandkids to call them "Mama").

Plus, there's a chance your child will end up with their own nickname for her, despite what she's taught to call her.

If you want to suggest something else, how about Nana? That's what my mom has her grandkids call her, and it works out fine. It's close to Nina, but definitely conveys a more appropriate image.

Lastly, I wouldn't worry about "Nina" confusing your child. Perhaps it will raise some questions at some point, but you should be able to handle the explanation easily, and eventually your child will be "over it".

haleyjean84 · November 2011

I think Nina is cute! It will probably be fairly easy for your LO to say, too.

kzawisl · November 2011

My mom wants to be called Granny which is totally NMS, but it's her choice, so oh well. MIL wants to be called Nana. dh's grandmother is Mimi, which I don't really get, but even her own grown children call her that.

MegDC · November 2011

Let your kid decide. My mom wanted to be Grammie, but DD started calling her Mimi which was fine with us. She loves nickname now because it was DD's idea.

dreambig527 · November 2011

Actually, I know a grandmother who is called "Nina" and it has yet to be a problem.

Capt Jen · November 2011

I think Nina is cute. So, if that's what she prefers, I say go with it unless the bebe starts calling her something else.

My mom wants to be called GG for gorgeous grandma (she's very narcisistic), but it's better than her other option (which we were going to refuse) of Tamaw = Tammy + Mamaw. Hmm

appylovee · November 2011

My mom will be Memere' and my best friends mother will be MiMi.

JAck5209 · November 2011

My friend refers to her grandmother as "Nina" and I don't think it's strange at all.

cpete5 · November 2011

My mom has decided she wants to be a Nina and I think it's awesome! I still have my Nana around, and when I was a kid my friends used to ask me all the time why I didn't call her grandma. At that young age, I was afraid of not being "normal" and was slightly embarrassed by it. But by the time I was in middle school I realized "normal" was just another word for "boring" and loved that I had a Nana.

I say let her go with it - it's cool.

By the way my friend's dog was named Nana and I managed never to confuse the two - lol.

Tisharp · November 2011

grujii:
She said she wants the baby to call her 'Nina.' I have not heard of this name being used as a term for Grandma. It is a real person's name. What if our kid has a friend names Nina - won't that be strange to also call your Grandma that? What are some names that your mom's or MIL want to be called? I want to give her some options...

What if she chose to be called "Nan"? Would you have a problem with that? Your child could technically have a friend named Nan as well.

And, your baby's grandma IS a real person, lol, so I think it's ok if she has a "real person" name too.

My MIL is called Granny by my niece, so I am sure our kids will call her the same. I have no idea what my mom might want to be called.

I know someone who is called Emmy by her grandchild. I see nothing wrong with Emmy, Nan, Nina, Mamu, Grangran, etc. Whatever works, is what works. But also, I hope your mom realizes that just because she wants to be called Nina doesn't mean that the kid will end up calling her that.

arobertson62282 · November 2011

I think it could have been a lot weirder. My mom runs a boutique so she's heard some pretty interesting one. Her favorite is the grandfather who wanted to be called Sugar Daddy and the grandma who wanted to be called Cutie Pie.

lynsimarie · November 2011

I have friends that call their grandmothers Mimi or Gigi. My nephew called my mother Gamma when he was little and couldn't say his R's.

We'll probably teach our baby Gramma and Grandpa for DH's parents and Gramma and Papa for my parents. But ultimately, my favorite names are the ones the kids come up with themselves, so whatever our baby chooses will be fine!

ashlea828 · November 2011

My step-mom is Granny to my nephew already, and her sister and BIL go by Lolli and Pop to their grandkids (get it, lollypop? lol). Whatever floats their boat! Someday it'll be our turn to go by whatever kooky thing we decide we'd like to be called!

canthardlywait426 · November 2011

Ultimately your child will decide what to call her, but as far as what you refer to her as until he/she can speak- I don't see a problem with calling her what she wishes. We call my MIL Gigi. Don't know why or how it came up, but that's what we call her. My son makes a "g" sound when he sees her, because that's what he's used to hearing. But when he speaks, if he chooses to call her grandma, Grammy, or anything else, it's not going to matter. And FWIW, I don't see a problem with Nina.

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