Meemaw
Grandmother, said with the soft spot reserved for the woman who raised half the hollow.
Also called Memaw, Mee Maw, Mamaw, Mawmaw.
Updated September 24, 2026
Meemaw pronunciation
/MEE-maw/
Meaning
Meemaw is what a lot of Southern and Appalachian kids call their grandma. It sits next to Mamaw, Mawmaw, and Granny as a family nickname, not a formal title. Whichever form sticks is usually whatever the grandkids could say first, and then the whole clan locks it in. You'll hear it at reunions, in the kitchen, and when somebody needs a biscuit that tastes like home.
How folks use it
- “Meemaw said supper's at six, and she don't wait on latecomers.”
- “We spent every summer at Meemaw's place down the holler.”
Origin and etymology
Likely grew out of baby talk for mama or grandma, then settled as a Southern and Appalachian kinship nickname. Dictionary of American Regional English lists related forms like maw maw and mee maw across the South and South Midland. Exact spelling varies by family. Origin is murky beyond that child-language path.
Frequently asked questions
Is Meemaw the same as Mamaw?
Same job, different spelling. Families pick one and stick with it. Both mean grandma in Southern talk.