Karohemd's World

(Bit previous, but what the hell, I'm playing catch-up).

There may well be a regional and class bias to the usage, but from my own experience it varies from family to family, and according to the preference of the individual concerned*.

Frex, My maternal Grandmother was "Gran" or "Granny", never "Nana", as this was merely the name of the dog in Peter Pan as far as she was concerned. My Paternal Grandmother was Grandma** (largely for easy differentiation from Granny), and Granny's mother, who lived until I was about 4, was referred to as Nana, just because we were running out of names.

* I myself, when I become a grandfather will insist on being called "Gaffer". My mother will not allow anyone to call her "Grandma" due to the connection with her mother-in-law, with whom she was often at odds.

** In theory, my maternal Grandfather was "Grandad", and my paternal grandfather was "Grandpa", but for the latter, he was always Grandad when addressed in person because he preferred it that way.

P.S. doctor_flibble's kids call their grandfathers "Gramps" and "Grandpop" just to be awkward... if you were trying to find rhyme or reason to this, I'd give up now - if you hadn't already...