General Etiquette > Life...in general

Auntie!

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madmusician:
My niece "Ellie" was born when I was 11. Around that time there was the question of what she was to call me. I wanted to be called my name, "Sarah", because, hey, I was 11. My grandmother threw an absolute fit that Ella was going to be *taught to disrepect me* by calling me by my name. She insisted that I be called Auntie (Aintie by her pronunciation) because it wasn't as formal but still conveyed respect.

All her life, she has called me Aunt Sarah or Sarah, whichever suits her mood at the moment. If she's talking to others she refers to me as "my Aunt Sarah", and I loved it when she was little and would see me and get excited and yell, "SARAH!!!", while running at me.

Recently the issue has been raised from the grave that Ellie really should call me Auntie or Aunt Sarah all the time. Is this required in terms of etiquette, specifically refering to a relationship this close in age?

MsEva:
I think it is what you and your niece are most comfortable with, and it's nobody else's business. ;)

IndianInlaw:
If it's acceptable to you, fine.

Suze:
Oh good grief - Why does it matter? 

There was only one Aunt that I HAD to put Aunt in front of her name. Not a single other Aunt or Uncle insisted on it.

My friends kids usually introduce me to their friends as "my Aunt Suze" and go on to call me Suze. (can you tell we are kinda close ;))

There is no "disrespect" in a name - unless YOU make it so.  (being a snot and calling your Mom by her first name comes to mind)

Aunt is a descriptive word to describe a blood tie (or one of the heart) instead of saying "My mother's sister" you say aunt. or "My sister's daughter" you say niece.

Tell them that Ellie can call you what she wants and to put a stake in it and bury it, If you are not offended by it, they can not be offended FOR you.

Lisbeth:
I think that the adult in the situation should make the binding decision, and the child and her parents should respect that decision.

Forcing an adult to be called "Auntie," "Aunt," etc., against their stated wishes strikes me as rude.

Personal note: In her final years, I got closer to one of my aunts when I moved from Houston to NYC, and started calling her "Auntie" as a special mark of affection.  I told that aunt that the nickname was reserved for her among all my aunts.  She died about three years ago.  I miss her a lot.

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