Mother’s Day is a universal celebration that honors the incredible role that mothers play in our lives. It is a day dedicating to expressing love, gratitude, and appreciation for the women who devoted their lives to nurturing and caring for their children. One fascinating aspect of this celebration is the diverse ways people refer to their mothers. The expression of love and respect for mothers is universal, but the words used to address them vary significantly.

According to a survey conducted by Muniyo Quick Polling, 44% of 529 respondents use the term “Mama” to address their mothers. This endearing and widely recognized term transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries, resonating with people from various backgrounds. In contrast, 35% of respondents in the same survey reported using the term “Ibu”, while 13% uses the term “Bunda” to address their mothers.

Across cultures and languages, individuals use different terms to refer to their mothers. The choice of maternal terms is often deeply rooted in history, culture and linguistic evolution (history.co.uk). But did you know the word “mother” itself is one of the oldest words in English language? This term falls under the category of ultraconserved words, denoting that it has remained unchanged for 15,000 years, placing it among only 23 words with similar historical roots (washingtonpost.com). Unfortunately, “father” does not share this prestigious status.

The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation - Faust.
Happy Mother’s Day!