While the act of grandparenting has a lot to do with tradition, that doesn’t mean the terminology has to, as well. In honor of Grandparents Day on September 11, check out these fun, adorable, and interesting alternatives to “grandma” and “grandpa.”
Your kids can make something special for grandma and grandpa with these kid-friendly DIY gifts
Some are the result of happenstance, while others are borrowed from other cultures and languages. Whether you’re a grandparent or parent of a grandchild, you might be inspired to adopt one of these new names for grandma and grandpa as your own.
We received so many of your comments with the most adorable names for grandma and grandpa that we decided to add them all to the list! Thank you to everyone who commented — please keep sharing fun nicknames for your children’s grandparents with us in the comments below!
A Quick Guide on How to Say Grandma & Grandpa in Other Languages
| Language | Grandma | Grandpa |
|---|---|---|
| French | Grand-mère | Grand-père |
| Italian | Nonna | Nonno |
| German | Oma | Opa |
| Spanish | Abuela | Abuelo |
| Polish | Babcia | Dziadek |
| Greek | Giagiá | Pappoús |
| Portuguese | Avó | Vovô |
| Irish | Mhamó | Seanathair |
| Hungarian | Nagymama | Nagypapa |
| Swahili | Bibi | Babu |
| Danish | Mormor | Bedstefar |
| Japanese | O baachan | O jiichan |
| Russian | Babushka | Dedushka |
| Hawaiian | Kuku wahine (or Tutu) | Kuku kane (or Tutu) |
| Korean | Halmeoni | Hal-abeoji |
1. Baba & Gigi
The Ukrainian names for grandparents come naturally to most babbling babies.
2. Yaya & Pappoús
Not only does Greece have beautiful beaches, they have lovely words for grandparents (pronounced “yah-yah” and “pa-poosch”).
3. Nana & Papa
There’s some debate about the origin of these classic terms, but they’re likely the result of childhood babbling; the repetition of a single syllable is easiest for little ones to pronounce.
4. Mawmaw & Pawpaw
These endearing terms are popular in the south and are Cajun in origin. In southern Louisiana, they’re almost exclusively used.
5. Savta & Saba
For names that are more cool than cutesy, try these Hebrew terms of grandma and grandpa.
6. Geema & Geepa
These terms, fairly popular in the U.S., probably stemmed from common mispronunciation of grandma and grandpa.
7. Bomma & Bonpa
These Flemish words are used in Belgium. They stem from French and Dutch, meaning “good dad” and “good mom.”
8. Nonna & Nonno
The Italian words for grandma and grandpa are just as fun and lively as their country of origin. The term for both grandparents is — you guessed it! — “nonni.”
9. Mormor & Morfar (or Farmor & Farfar)
The Swedish terms for grandparents are both adorable and practical, distinguishing between sides of the family. “Mormor” literally translates to “mother’s mother,” while “morfar” is “mother’s father” — you get the idea!
10. Oma & Opa
These words are derived from either German (Großpapa and Großmama) or Dutch (Grootpapa and Grootmama). Either way, they’re a sweet alternative in any language.
11. Amma & Afi
In Iceland grandchildren use these endearing terms, which sound a bit like “mama” and “poppy.”
12. Lola & Lolo
The FIlipino terms for grandma and grandpa are easy to say and perfect for playful grandparents.
13. Meme & Pepaw
This is another combination that that’s similar to “mama” and “papa,” but with a twist. These names are popular in the southern U.S.
14. Ouma & Oupa
The Afrikaans terms for grandparents are a both affectionate and regal sounding.
15. Gramms & Gramps
Don’t forget tradition! These names are still quite popular in the United States, likely due to their endearing nature and ease of pronunciation.
16. Nai Nai & Ye Ye (or Lao Ye & Lao Lao)
Grandparents play an important role in Asian culture, and the Mandarin terms are unique and practical, distinguishing between sides of the family. Nai nai and ye ye are used for paternal grandparents, while lao ye and lao lao are used for maternal grandparents.
17. Banma & Banpa
Likely another case of mispronunciation gone right, these English variations are unique but within the realm of tradition.
18. Busia & Dziadzia
Pierogis aren’t the only brilliant Polish invention; their words for grandparents are one-of-a-kind (and though it may look intimidating, “dziadzia” is simply pronounced “jah-jah”).
19. Mémé & Pépé
The formal names for grandparents in French are “grandmére” and “grandpére,” but these shortened versions are easy enough to pronounce in any language.
20. Lolly & Pop
For grandparents with a sense of humor, pairing the commonly used term “pop” with “lolly” is a clever combination.
Your children’s grandparents deserve names that are as unique and fun as they are. So while “grandma” and “grandpa” are all well and good, don’t be afraid to break tradition and draw inspiration from other customs and cultures. Or better yet, invent your own!
21. Memere & Pepere
Allison pointed out that these popular French Cajun nicknames for grandma and grandpa weren’t on the list yet!
22. Apa
Jae Bee’s grandkids call their other grandpa by this affectionate and unique nickname.
23. Grammie & Grampy
Jae Bee also shared with us the nicknames their grandchildren call them. How sweet!
24. Grumpa, Tutu & Mimi
Wyncotejoan’s story just goes to show nicknames for grandparents can be as unique as the grandkids who use them!
She wrote that the nickname “Grumpa” was invented by some of her grandbabies as a nickname for their grandpa. As for her nicknames, a few of her grandchildren call her Mimi and her daughter-in-law’s children call her Tutu! She also shared with us that Tutu is Hawaiian for “grandmother.”
25. Gpa & Gma
Lin Sue told us their grandkids call them Gpa and Gma. Talk about short and sweet!
26. Goma & Gompa
Marco Torres’ cousin uses the affectionate Goma and Gompa as nicknames for their grandparents!
Your turn! What do your children call their grandparents — or what do your grandparents call you? Tell us in the comments below!
Comments
Collapse Comments169 replies on “26 Cute Names for Grandma and Grandpa”
And you forgot Memere & Pepere – French Cajun origin.
Hi Allison,
So we did! Thank you for adding on to our list. :)
My grandparents were memere and Pepere…. ♡♡♡ rest their souls. ♡♡♡
My grandkids call their other grandpa…”Apa”……different and not on the list
Were called Grammie and Grampy…..
Hi Jae Bee,
Wonderful! Some of us also call our grandparents “Grammy and Grampy.” :) We have not heard “Apa” yet, though. Thank you for adding these wonderful names to our list!
I have two names Tutu and Mimi and my husband is Grumpa because he is
Hi Wyncotejoan,
How cute! We love Tutu and Mimi as names for grandparents! And Grumpa sounds so fun, too. Thank you for sharing with us!
since you responded here’s the background, we have 6 kids and when the 1st grandbaby came along it was our kids they came up with Grumpa, fits SO well but all the grandchildren (6 now) love him. Grumpa kept saying Gran-MAW, which I am NOT, years ago I thought that I’d like to be a Nana but our son-in-law’s mom wanted to be Nana, he’s her only child and this would be her only chance to be Nana so I deferred knowing I’d have other chances, so I decided on Mimi, two grandchilden call me Tutu, my daughter-in-law spent her childhood in Hawaii and Tutu is Hawaiian for grandmother,and it turns out that her aunt that raised her wanted to be Mimi, it’s a bit confusing when all the kids get together but it’s nice having a special name for the two that I only see a half a dozen times a year and thankfully my husband has stopped calling me GranMaaaw,
Hi Wyncotejoan,
Oh my, it must be confusing, but what sweet names! We didn’t know Tutu is Hawaiian for grandmother, how fun. :) It’s always so interesting to learn the stories behind grandparents’ names for each family, thank you for sharing yours!
Our grandkids call us Gpa and Gma
Hi Lin Sue,
How short and sweet! :) Thank you for sharing!
My cousin says goma and gompa haha
Our 15 grandchildren call us Nana D and Granddad. I’ve never liked being called Grandma, Granny, or Grandmother because I don’t like them. I’m only 52 and particular I guess!
Hi Mamadee,
There’s nothing wrong with not being called “grandma!” :) We love “Nana D,” it sounds so sweet.
Thank you for sharing with us!
I am known as Grand ! My oldest daughter started it with my first grandchild, and although it starts out as Gan, eight grandchildren later….I am Grand !
Hi Kathy,
What a perfect short and sweet nickname. And we’re sure it could also mean that you’re a grand grandparent, too!
Thank you for sharing!
Our two granddaughters call their paternal grandparents “Nani & Papa”. My husband and I are “MomMom (or MaMa) and Papi”. The terms “Grandma and Grandpa” were already taken by my mother and father, the girls’ beloved great grandparents.
The girls live with in our home along with their mother, an Aunt, and two Uncles who call us “Mom and Dad”. The girls started calling me “Mom” which didn’t sit well with their mother! So I became MomMom and my daughter is “Mommy”. Works great.
Photo of “Papi” and the girls
When asked, I told my son (soon to be new father) that I was going to pick “one of tthose young sounding grandfather names”. I couldn’t find any. Later he would laugh and ask me “how’s that young grandfather name search going?” Fortunately he’s creative and came to the rescue. He suggested “he could call you G!” G is a wonderful name, easy to say, and I love to hear it. Now that we have 2 grandkids, it sounds even better when they yell “hi G” on unison.