Okay, I've got a naming issue with my story.

I have a grandmother in the story (not Martha or Ellen) who is, to put it stereotypically, a rich, old snob. She's not purely stereotypical -- don't worry, she will be fleshed out more than that. But that's the most accurate explanation I can say fast.

Anyway, I'm having issues with what the granddaughter calls her. I don't want her to be "Grandma" because that's too ordinary. "Grandmother" feels a bit too stuffy. "Granny/Grammie" both feel too casual/comfortable, if you know what I mean.

So, I was going to name her "Gra." (prounounced with an a like in 'act' -- say Grandma, but cut the -ndma.) My mother (who used this name with one of her grandmothers), said that it is a lower class name and that a 'rich, old snob' would never consent to be called this.

So...Opinions? Does it work? Does it definitely not? Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Bethy

Nanna?

Some rich old snobs like being called MeMe or Mimi, according to how you want to spell. That way that they're not acknowledged as Grand anything.

What about Gran?

On the tv show 'ER', Dr. Carter called his extremely rich grandmother "Gamma"...

I always thought Granmama or Grandmama sounded a bit snooty since it has the touch of French in it.

gerry

There is also "Gram!"

The young ladies on Charmed always called their matriarchal Grandmother, Grams. It seems to be a bit more formal, yet comfortable enough for family usage.

Tank (who knows that Wanda already suggested Gram, but she forgot the 's' so he felt he had to chime in)

If rich and snooty includes being formal and reserved, then Grandmother Smith or Grandmother Jones would qualify. We weren't rich or snooty, but that's the way I was required to address my grandmothers.

Jude

I agree with Jude that in my mind, an uptight grandmother - one that wouldn't be caught dead crawling around on the floor with her grandchildren or playing Chutes and Ladders - would insist on being called "Grandmother" with or without a last name.

However, if the grandmother has some kind of hang-up about her age and actually believing she is far too young to even be a grandmother, I agree with SQD of perhaps going with something along the lines of a "Mimi".

If she's really an old biddy, what if the grandchildren are so very intimidated they just call her "ma'am"?

My two cents <g>.
Lynn