Momma is an affectionate, informal way to say “mother.” While “mom” is probably the most common casual word for mother in America, momma adds an extra layer of warmth and tenderness. You might hear a young child call out “Momma!” when they need comfort, or catch yourself saying it without thinking when you're tired, sick, or feeling especially close to your mother.

The word appears throughout American culture, from country songs about missing home to soul food restaurants named after beloved family cooks. In the American South especially, many people keep saying momma their whole lives rather than switching to the more businesslike “mom.”

Momma can also be used playfully or teasingly between friends, like when someone acts protective or gives motherly advice. And sometimes people use it for an older woman who takes care of others with motherly devotion, like a grandmother everyone calls Momma Jean or a beloved teacher known as Momma Wilson.

The word carries feeling with it. Saying “my mom” is neutral and factual, but saying “my momma” suggests emotional connection, the kind you feel when remembering her homemade cookies or the way she always knows when something's bothering you.