mama

Mama is a term used to address or refer to one's mother or a mother-figure. It is widely used across languages as a familiar, affectionate form of address and is commonly spoken by young children. In many cultures, "mama" can also denote a caregiver or motherly figure who provides care, protection, and support.

Etymology and usage vary by language, but the form arises from infant-directed speech and is a reduplicated syllable common to many language families. Variants include mamma, mamá, and, in English-speaking contexts, mom or mommy. The word functions not only as a pronoun but also as a social label for maternal roles in families and communities.

In culture and media, the term has been used as a title and motif in numerous works. Notably, "Mama" is the title of a 2013 horror film directed by Andrés Muschietti (credited as Andy Muschietti) and produced by Guillermo del Toro; the plot centers on two girls and a malevolent maternal entity. Beyond film, "Mama" appears in various songs, books, and other media across different languages and cultures, reflecting its widespread associations with motherhood, caretaking, and emotional ties.

See also discussions of motherhood in linguistics and the range of related terms in different languages, such as maman, mamma, and mom, which illustrate how cultures encode the concept of a maternal figure through similarly simple, universally resonant sounds.