A Word for Moms

Did you know the word for mom begins with an “M” in the majority of languages? There’s madre (Spanish), mère (French), mater (Latin), mama (Italian), mer (Vietnam), and mutter (German), to name just a few.

Roy Feinson suggests there could be several reasons for this. Maybe it’s the gentle hum that’s used to produce the sound itself or the first sounds of an infant seeking her mother’s milk. Feinson also points out that the maternal sound of the letter “M” could be the reason why twice as many girls’ names begin with the matriarchal letter.

Whatever the foundations of the word itself, it’s also a name. And it’s one of the proudest and happiest names I have. From the moment I heard my daughter utter the first syllables remotely close to mama until today, I have been in love with the sound of it.

I remember once when I was pregnant standing in line near a woman and her small child. Her toddler was repeatedly saying, “Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!” This mother had obviously heard the word “Mom” so many times that it was now commonplace to her. She was in another world entirely. But not that little boy. And neither was I. I was watching this scene and thinking about the day when that would be me. I was drunk on the hormones of pregnancy…and I couldn’t wait.

On this day I offer gratitude to the beautiful being who gave me this new name, mom. Thanks, Adee. You know I love you! Mom