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 Comments181 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 grands call me Nene and my mom (great grandma) is called Meme..
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.
Better than being called, Pud-G!
?
Great content.. thank you!! My wife and I are expecting our first in February 2017 and we plan on letting all the grandparents choose their own names.
My mother (now deceased) tried to get my niece (now 62) to say “Bapcia” which is Grandma in Bohemian. She became Baci and that’s what everyone called her till her death. My Aunt had her great grands call her Grandma Busha. Actually means grandma, grandma in Polish.
Hi Grandma Sue,
Oh, we love these nicknames! How unique, thank you for sharing with us!
My grandson calls me mamaw n my husband papa
He calls my parents gigi n tapaw
My in laws are grandma n grandpa
Thank God everyone is different names…lol
Hi Heather,
Wow, that sounds like a lot of nicknames to keep track of! What a wonderful combination of different names, too. :)
My 4yr old twin grand daughters call me Bumma. Started off calling myself gramma, but bumma was easier I guess for them. If ayone calls me gramma, they have no clue who that is…they correct them and say no that’s bumma! I have a 3 month old grandson, curious what he will call me!
Bumpa for gramps. I’ve known quite a few “Bumpa”s in Canada and UK. I’ve seen cards made for Bumpa as well.
I call my grandma and grandpa wewa and wewa because when im latino and when i was a baby i could not say abuela and abuelo so i called my grandma wewa then The name caught up with my grandpa and i call him wewe
I will be a first time grandma in July and trying to decide. My mom is Grandy which I don’t see on your list! :) I may go with a Norwegian version. Either Beste (“besta”) or Bestemor (best mom!) When my husband’s grandpa became a great grandpa, his name changed to “Grander”!
I will also be a 1st timer in July! So excited. Best wishes on your new status! :)
We’re GiGi and Pop Pop, our first grandchild couldn’t say grandma and the GiGi stuck, and Pop Pop followed.
Very cute! I like GiGi! :)
We are Grammy & Grumpy we have 3 grandchildren…the youngest is only 4 months so it will be nice to hear him say those names one day :)
My grand children call me Goggie. Papa bear was trying to get my Grandaughter to call me granny. She said Goggie instead and it stuck.
MawMaw and PawPaw were my dad’s parents. (definitely southern, not Cajun)
GrandBob and GrandBetty just had iconic names. (Mom’s parents)
MamMaw and PapPaw is a good variant. Mimi and Pepaw. Those are north Louisiana and New Orleans, respectfully.
My 2 year old grandson calls me Mamma, he has ever since he started talking and I love it. its not on the list either
I call my grandparents on my mom’s side Mawmaw and Pappy (we’re in the south) and on my dad’s side they’re Papaw&Mamaw Teeth. Teeth because one day as a toddler I saw her take her dentures out and I said Mamaw TEETH!!! It stuck.
My husband and I have 6 children between us and 10 grandchildren. They call me Bammaw and he’s PawPaw. I see so many cute names these days for grandparents that I’d wished I’d used, but they’ve gotten used to Bammaw, so Bammaw it has been for the last 15 years!
I call my grandmother “Grandmala.” I’ve never heard anyone else use it before. It stemmed from me trying to say Grandmama and I said Grandmala instead. She liked it and it stuck!
My kids called my Mom Neeni. My grand-daughter calls me Plum. I chose that because my daughter started called me that sometimes when she was younger just because it rhymes with Mum and she is silly. My new grandson will call me Plum when he learns to talk. :)
You hope. They have a way of skewing it – hopefully, to something even cuter.
My grandchild calls me Mamma and Pappa for her grandfather on our side of the family. On her dad’s side Pawpaw and Granny. My parents she calls Grandma and Grandpa. My grandmother she called Granny. I grew up in north Louisiana. My aunt’s grandchildren call her “Cookie”.
My son couldn’t say grandma or grandpa. It came out Duma and Dumpa. Pronounced Dooma and Doompa.
Gey- Gey and Poppy came into play when my kids grandmother used to jingle her keys if they started to cry. Then they would say key-key which developed into gey gey. As they got older they called her Gey or Geygala
Very cute! I like this. My daughter and husband just announced we will be grandparents in 7 months! I read all the comments on this thread and l like your combination the best! :) Thanks for the great idea!
Gertie
I have a friend from high school whose initials are PJ (no middle). Her parents intended to call her that, but didn’t. Anyway, her gkids call her “granny” (yuck). I told her she missed the golden opportunity to be called their PJ. :/
How about Nena and Deyda? Cute isn’t?
Our 2 year old granddaughter calls me Gaga and my hubby Grampsy and we love both of them — always wanted her to come up with names on her own and she sure did it!!
Gee I thought I was the only one to call my paternal grandmother Gaga, love it!
Nope, my kids called my mother MIL that. It’s grandma, but easy to say.
My nickname is Monk so I am Grandmonker. My husband was GrandDon.
My grandmother is called Meemaw by all grands, and great brands? Her husband was called pawpaw.we also have Big Mamma and Big Great *was originally suppose to be great big mamma but kid came up with variation at young age.
My first grandson got to calling us GaGa and PaPa, he is 2 and a half and I don’t know if he will continue. But I really love that he just picked what worked for him. Just wonder too, what it will be like for a 16 year teenager taller than me still calling me GaGa will be like.
It will be great! Born in Scotland, so my Mum’s Mum was traditional Granny. But my Dad was an only child whose parents lived in Ireland. His Mum was then Granny Ireland but I couldn’t say that so called her Gaga Ireland, shortened to just Gaga. The name stuck and was used by my siblings. She loved it and was Gaga til the day she died. Now that I’m a Grandma I considered being Gaga G but then thought no, there is only one Gaga (til now lol).
I wondered what to be called by my new grandson. I wanted something “different”. My son said “Ya know…I had a Papaw, and you had a Papaw. Everybody needs a Papaw.” So I’ll be a Papaw.
I’ve got three pairs of grands. I call one oma and opa, g-ma and g-pa, and one gram-cracker and gramp-cracker. XD That way we know who is who lol.
My gbabies call me their Maymay and my husband they call Pa!
Our Grandchildren call us G and Ampa.
NAN and GRANDAD. I just think these names don’t sound as lame for teenagers to use. Baby talk is only cute when they’re babies :)
My Daughter calls my mom MeeMaw and my son calls her MoMo!
WaaWaa and Pop Pop
I don’t have children yet but when I do my dad will be called punk. He was in the Navy but didn’t want to be called Sarge or Captain and he’s too young at heart to be grandpa. Growing up my cousins called him Uncle Punk so it has stuck. My mom wants to be Gigi but I like Nona so we will see lol stay tuned.
My stepkiddos call my fiance’s parents nanny and grandpa and they call my parents Mimi and pepaw or as the youngest says poppop
My oldest daughter first pronounced Grandma as “Gramber.” My mom loved it so much it stuck. I now have younger children & nieces that pronounce it as either “Bamber” or “Bamboo” but it’s still mostly Gramber.
We have a blended family of 6 kids and 11 (so far) grandkids. I am Noni (pronounced nawnee) and he is Grumpy.
My mom is Momo…got shortened from Grandmother (play on her name Mollie) my dad is Papa. They both love it when my daughter comes running calling their names.
I’m the only one that has a special name in my family, they call me Glam’ma and my husband is Papa. I couldn’t go with the traditional Italian Nona, people say I was a young first time grandparent at 38.
I have a brand new Grandson. I love cute little names and wanted to step outside the “norm” I am Mam and my husband is Pap, the other grandparents are Grandma and Grandpa. Great Grandparents are Grandnanna and Grandpappa and Pa and Nanna.
My mother was called “Muv” by her grandchildren.
Not sure what we would have called a grandpa.
On my side of our little family, my grandparents are called Grandma and Grandpa- on my boyfriend’s side they’re Nan and Gramps… Idt I’ve seen these on your list of names…
First grandchild is here…and she is adorable…like an angel. With that being said my stepdaughter is trying to work out the grandparents “names”. Her father & stepmom: grandpa & possibly grandma. I will be POPS and her mother is still trying to decide what she wants to be called. Such a dilemma…she likes Nana, but is struggling because her mother, whom we lost last Christmas, is the “Nana” of the family. I tried to explain it should be like an honor for her to carry on the name…but, she is torn. Any kind words, advice or suggestions i can pass on to my wife…would be more than welcomed. God bless~
Both my girls were sorta “coached,” but then the pronunciation is what stuck.
My kids call their grandmother GROMMY.
My boys call my mom and dad mama and Papa and they call my in-laws Guma and Peepaw don’t ask me where they come up with those last two
My dad wants to be called Grandda (purposely dropping the ending d) because it sounds Gaelic and here’s fixated on the fact that his grandparents were from Ireland. I think it sounds stupid because he’s only Irish when he sees a cool cross or poem or is talking to someone who is actually Irish and he starts waxing on about hearing the call of the “green mother land.”
Should I just let it go, even though I think everyone is going to be correcting my kids for saying Granddad wrong?
Yes, you should let it go!
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
I don’t know how that quote applies to this unless the trees are made out of years of mental and emotional abuse. The man literally only started treating me nicely when he realized I was the only one of his kids who was going to give him grandkids.
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
You’re right, that is stupid of your dad, it’s fetishizing a culture he doesn’t actually come from himself, and your kids will be embarrassed to call him that by the time they’re preteens.
I’m happy to report, that now that my child is a year old, he’s changed his mind. He is now Granddad. I have a feeling that my mom had something to do with this
Glamma and Pops!
Nana & Bompa – our first and oldest grandchild called his granddad Bompa and the ones after naturally followed suit. My heart didn’t know how much love it could hold until my grandson called me Nana the first time.
If you want to gift a t shirt to your papa so click here https://teespring.com/best_papa_ever_1
My kids called their Grandma Nanny. I called my grandmother Granny.
My grandmother was my Nanny ??
Well I didn’t want to be called Grammy so I came up with the name gam-gam and my husband is dampi since I was only 44 at the time and my husband was 48
Ukranian names for grandparents are Baboosya, Baboonya and Did, Didus’
To distinguish my father’s mother and my mother’s mother my siblings and I referred to them as “Grandma” and “Grandma [Last name here].”
I am Lala. My mother was called Nana by all of her grandkids, and my little granddaughter could not pronounce her “n” correctly and it came out “Lala,” and that stuck. I love it. My husband is Grampie.
Me too!!! I love it… my kids thought I was crazy for choosing it but there is nothing better than the sound of the little guy running through the house calling for LALA!!!!
im nene and he is popo
Boppie and Pop
My mom was Gigi and my father Dad-Dad, because my daughter couldn’t say Granddad at the time. I’m Mimi.
Mimi has been my nickname in the family since I was a small child. Later my friends started calling me either Mims or Mimsy. Just was a natural progression from my given name of Miriam.
My
My children call their grandparents Kiwi and Kipop
I used to call my grandma “memom” and my grandpa “pampop” when I was little, before my cousins converted me into just using plain “gramma and grampa” lol
This amazes me. I am 42 and i used to call my grandmother Memom. She passed away a long time ago when i was in the 4th grade.
My grandparents were Memom and Pepop. My mothers grandchildren called her Darna.
Nama and papa
Tok Umi & Aki
My husband called his grandparents Mamaw and Papaw, so of course, that’s what we chose to be called! The girls are still young, though, so time will tell what they actually call us!
My grandson calls us Lala and Papa…
My mom’s grandfather mispronounced all of their names. He called her Dubbie (Debbie). That is what my kids call her.
Whatever happened to Nana? That’s what we called our grandmother. My grandkids call me Grammy. As a new great grandmother, I’m going to go by Nanny.
Are you a nanny? Do you care for other people’s children for money? Why would you want your own relatives to call you one? Have your children call you something they won’t be embarrased to call you in front of their friends when they’re 10.
I started off being called Nana by my sweet grandson. Then HE started calling me Nanny and it’s the sweetest sound ever. I love it.
I came up with Gram for my mom. I named my grandpa Poppy and my daughter named her grandpa grandpy
We called our grandparents Ammie & Papa
My grandchildren call me: G
Their Great-Grandmother: GG
Their Great-Great-Grandmother: 3-G
My son calls his paternal grandmother, GM and his my mother, Mimi.
Mema and Papa
Nana/mamaw and papaw
Pawpaw and granny
Poppy and grandma
Title with Surname.
Our daughter called our parents…Grandma & Grandpa K***, and Grandma & Grandpa S*******. Our grandkids call us…Granny & Pappy D***. They call their other grandparents…Grandma & Grandpa P***.
My nephew could not pronounce Grandma so he started calling my mother “Goo-Goo”!
Well I came up with my name to be Granzie. I had to put a name on my T-shirt while take Lamaze with my daughter. So when they said stand up and tell is your name I said “Granzie” so every looked confused and I said that stands for crazy ass grandma. And it stuck I live hearing my granddaughter say it like royalty.. Lol wait till she finds out..
My G-Baby calls me Tutu Lady….Toot for short.
My kids call their grandmother “Vidi”, now I am about to be a grandmother and don’t know what my grandson will call me. I’ll just have to wait and see what he calls me. :)
That’s how it happened with us. My first granddaughter looked up at me and said NeNe!! That was it.
My son calls my parents MeeMaw and Pappy.
We are Gammie and PopPop, to some and GC and Grandpa to some. I like YaYa too
My mom is Gammie too except she/we spell it with a Y (Gammy)! My niece actually started it (she’s the oldest grandchild 16) because she couldn’t say Granny and it came out as Gammy. It stuck and now all the grandkids call her Gammy including my cousins kids and sometimes we call her that also even though she’s our mom/aunt lol.
My grands call me Amma, and my neighbors grands call her Honey.
“Geema” and “Geepa” are not the result of mispronunciations as suggested in this article. They are “hip” terms of endearment where the “Gee” is an abbreviation of “Grand”. These terms were created by adults who know full well how to pronounce “Grandma” and “Grandpa”. In no way would any baby naturally substitute the “gee” sound for “grand”. These terms are the same as “Gma” and “Gpa” also referenced in this article.
I’m NeNe & their Grandfather is Poppy
Snap and crackle
WHAT??? “pa-poosch”?? The “sch” sound doesn’t even exist in Greek! It’s pronounced nothing like that. Just, simply, “pa-poo”. Where on earth did they get that one from…
Nunna and Nunnu (Maltese)
Pronounced Nun-ah. Nun-ew
My wife is German, I’m English. My daughter has 2 kids. Her mother-in-law is German and her father-in-law is Egyptian. So the kids call my wife Oma Gina (short for Regina), and their other grandma is Oma Gudrun (her Christian name). Their other grandad is Opa-Sidi, because arabs say Sidi = Sir to their Grandads, while I am Opa-Grandad, or simply Grandad if the conversation is in English, or Opa if if is in German, but mostly Opa-Grandad.
I will be Memarr, I hope. I called my grands were Grannie and Mimmie, I had a stepg who was called Grandmother O’Brien, (my mom is called Big Mama.)
My maternal grandparents were called Nana and Papa by all the kids. Never knew my paternal grandfather but with my paternal grandmother it was rather cute. Although she had emigrated here way back in the early 1900’s from Russia her English was a bit rough and she used Yiddish for private conversations – especially conversations that she felt inappropriate for young ears! For some reason she disliked the Bubbe (or Bubbie) name that many Jewish children adopted for *Grandmother* One Sunday over the dinner table she announced that she wanted us kids to use her actual name! My father objected vigorously but was quickly overruled. And so it came to pass that my paternal grandmother was known as Goldie by all. Her name was actually Golda but we soon Americanized it and she loved it!
My mom (now a grandmother thanks to my sister) calls herself Mamo, which is a mispronunciation of her nickname. My sister and I grew up calling our grandparents Gram/Gramp and Nana/Papa
What concerns me about this article is some grandmother somewhere who “doesn’t feel old enough to be called ‘Grandma'” is looking through this list to find a “better” name. Unless you actually come from one of the cultures these names come from (and I mean you yourself were actually born there, not a great-great-grandmother was), it would be extremely cheesy to call yourself one of these names. And before you go with some infantile name like Meemaw or Nana or Mimi, think about where your grandson will want to call you that in front of his friends when he’s 10.
Why are you so concerned about what other people’s grandchildren will call them? My husband’s grandmother went by Mimi not only to her grandchildren but to her great-grandchildren, as well. She passed at almost 83, when my husband was almost 39. I was expecting our 4th child. He would have been her 9th great-grandchild. My husband was 1 of 2 grandsons and our boys were 2 of 4 great-grandsons. None of the boys were ever embarrassed to call her ‘Mimi’. They loved her. My husband was closest to her. He adored her and she, him. When you love someone, the bonds you share go above and beyond the nickname you have for them.
Perhaps you or someone you know were/are embarrassed to call your/their grandmother whatever name they chose but please don’t assume every grandson feels that way.
You’ve made two comments like this and it baffles me. Why would anyone be embarrassed to call their grandma anything? If it’s what you’ve called them your whole life it’s their name to you, so it would be the same as suddenly being embarrassed to call anyone their name. You make no sense. And you’re really rude.
I beg to differ. My husband is Arab and I am of German ancestry. I proudly use the title of the culture I am married into. We are Tayta and Seedo.
My name is Eva. For years, family and friends have deemed me a diva (in a good way) ?. My children insisted when I became a grandmother, my grandkids call me GrandEVA (making it specific and personal to me), but are they saying, “GranDIVA”?… anyway it’s pronounced, I’m covered! #mycleverchildren ?
My grandchildren call me Honey and my husband Paw
My grandma was Memaw (Pronounced MEE maw) and my grandpa was Pawpaw. I grew up in the “Yeehaw” part of North Carolina ?
My Grandma was called Yammy. She was from New Mexico and she always made Yams or sweet potatoes. She had fire red hair and was always really Tan. So to me she always resembled the Yams she’d make. Her tan skin like the outside of the Yams and her hair the color of the inside of the Yams. So I loving nicknamed her Yammy. She was my favorite.
My name is Sylvia and while discussing our grandparent names with my husband one night before we were to have our first grandchild, I told him we could be “Silly” and “Putty”. I could be Silly and he could be Putty. Being the traditionalist that he is, he wanted to be called Pawpaw. I told him you know you will be putty in your grandbaby’s hands so you should be Putty. I stuck with being called Silly and I’m so glad I did…I love when I hear my grands holler “Silly!!!”
My friends kids called their grandmas- Long Granny and short Granny… Nope not how tall they were but how long it was to get to their house. LONG Granny lived far away and Short Granny lived down the street!
I told my daughter that I wanted the twins to name me. My name is Ruth. When they first started talking it sounded like they were calling me daddy. So my daughter worked with them and it eventually became Gaddy Rue. It stuck and I abosolutely love it!!
My Grandfather was Grumpy and my Grandmother was Grammy-ma….I think Grumpy was a mispronunciation of Grampy and Grammy-Ma came from me hearing my Mom calling her Mom all the time ” Ma…..Ma! and I put the Ma with Grammy and got Grammy-Ma.
When I was growing up, I had a speech impairment and couldn’t pronounce Grammy or grandma, so in my own language I created ‘Nam’ for her. She loved it! Because there was no one else with that name :) I still call her that today. My biological grandfather I call Papa and my ‘Nam’s’ husband I call him Grampa, I’ve known him almost all my life :)
My grand baby calls me Gammy??.
My kids call my dad Grandmaster??
I’m going by Lolly – “Grandma” gives me PTSD flashbacks of my monster-in-law! My kids call my mom Gummy – it started out as Grammy but my daughter pronounced it Gummy & the name stuck :)
My little ones call their grandma Gamma. It started when my son was a toddler and that’s how he pronounced grandma and it stuck since!!!
My Grandson calls me Mema. for Grandma.
My maternal grands were called, Grandmommy & Granddaddy, and my kids called them, Grandma “K” and Grandpa “K.” My paternal grandparents were called, MomMom & PopPop. I had a great grandmother I called, Gram. My parents were called, Gammie & Granddady, and I used to call my father G-Dad, when I spoke about him to my children. My husband’s mother was called Grandma by our children. Now that I am a 1st time grandparent in a few months, I am leaning towards, GiGi & Poppy….
In my family, we always use “Mamie” (that’s how we spell it).
We call my grandparents tita and tito! I love it so much, wouldn’t want it any other way! I wish my parents would like my son to call them that, but they want to change it, so sad!
My grandparents were Memere and Pepere, my dad is Pepere and my mom is grandma. I became a grandma at 38 so I didn’t exactly want to be called grandma so I’m Gaga.
We’re Bigs and Lovie
My kids call their grandparents Nana & Pop-Pop, my step daughter has a Grammie & Mawma. My God daughter calls me Gigi and she has Mom-mom & Pap-Pap. I’m getting ready to be a “grandma” for the first time! So I’m trying to figure what I wanna be called. My friends have suggested I stay with Gigi but my God-daugter says I’m HER Gigi that’s it, lol. So I’m stuck on what to be called?? I want something unusual. I am part Irish & German. My friend is German and she is called Omi by her grandkids and since her family & mine our close I don’t want to be called that and the kids be confused on which one of us is being called to. Can I get some suggestions any that aren’t listed already?? Thnx
maybe Memaw
the danish is a bit off.. Mormor (mother’s mom) Morfar (mother’s dad) Farmor and Farfar (father’s mother and dad )
Expecting our first grandchild in Nov 2020. My husband will be Pops, as my son has always called him Pop…and the Hubs loves it. I, however, was not so easy! I put a LOT Of conditions on my grandmother name: couldn’t sound “old”, couldn’t be every other grandmother’s name that is overused today, couldn’t be associated with food, couldn’t have another meaning, it had to be easy for a little to say, it had to be something their friends wouldn’t feel weird calling me later, and the Hubs said they couldn’t just use my given name. So, in reading Great Expectations one day, it hit me: why not Pip, or Pippi? It goes with Pops and fits the other parameters. The Hubs liked it, the kids like it, and I think I can get used to it. We shall see… (And I have NO idea why the name assigned to me is a question…)
I’m Grammie too! I’m so glad that you included “Grammie and Grampy” in your list! All of the ancestors that I know of throughout my family utilized these same terms for grandparents.
My toddler daughter calls my parents “bagum”. Grandma backwards with a b added? Her own creation.
my son learned that his paternal grandma was “mee-maw” from the firstborn grandchild naming her and it stuck for every child after that, and paternal grandparent was “pa-pa” (prounounced Pah-Puh).
We used the traditional grandma and grandpa with their first names for both sides as kids. Now I am a new grandmother and I dont know what fits for me, my husband is adamant he wants “poppy” and not grandpa. I dont like nanna, grandma or grammy/granny at all for me. Doesnt fit.
On my maternal parent’s side of the family, we call our grandparents Flibber and Flubber, they named themselves because the love the 1997 family/ comedy film Flubber
No sign of grandchildren yet but I’m worrying ahead. I’m a stepmum and am 100% sure that my stepson’s birth mother & sister will not allow me to be called by any traditional grandparent name. They wouldn’t let my younger stepson call my parents Grandma & Grandpa even though they’ve known him since he was two and always treated him like one of their own grandchildren. They told him they were NOT his grandma & grandpa and it was an insult to the memory of his “real” grandparents (only one of whom was still alive). So when my older stepson has kids (he’s getting married) I’m not even going to try to be Nanna, even though I’d love to be, because I just can’t face the hurt of the child being constantly told “she’s not your nanna”. There are lots of good ideas for alternatives on here so thanks everyone. My name begins with K so I’m thinking maybe Kuku, Kiki or possibly Koko – the acronym for “keep on keeping on” seems particularly apt in my case!
I am in a similar boat and fwiw, I think Koko is darling!!! The alliteration is awesome, the rhythmic sound can’t be beat and the meaning is truly inspired. In my opinion, this is the perfect name for you/your situation. Go for it! (unfortunately, my name starts with A, otherwise, I might’ve stolen this one.
My kids called my dad. PaDaddy
When I was younger, I couldn’t pronounce “grandma” and “grandpa” so I made up the names “goga” and “pappy.” Since I couldn’t break the habit, my siblings ended up using the names, and now my cousin is using them.
I’ve been campaigning for G-MILF but my son and his wife aren’t having it. My mom is Momo (Mawmaw- were from S Louisiana but my mom insists its CAJUN French so its spelled MonMon) and dad was PawPaw. I had a Granny and Mama White. My kids also have 2 Nanas and a Gramma. My Godmom is Nanny and my kids call her Gigi.
I’m also kicking around Beanie for me and Lollipop for my husband. So far my daughter in law is humoring my whims but unfortunately GMILF is off the table.
my dad’s dad died before I was born so I always called him Grandpa Jim, it was always Grandma and Grandpa Jim. my mom’s dad also died before I was born but my mom was born in Australia so I always called my mom’s parents Nana and Granddad,
I call my grandma Nanner, and i call my grandpa Papa.
I’m Meme for Melanie and my husband is Pepe for Pedro. We’re not French but it works out.
my kids call them nene and pa
In Chinese, LaoYe is a term used by servants or maids to call the master. LaoLao and NaiNai are both for paternal grandma. For maternal grandpa, it is GongGong or AhGong. Maternal grandma is PallPall or AhPall. These two terms Gong Gong and PallPall are used by both northern Chinese and Southern Chinese in both Mandarin and Cantonese.
I didn’t know what I wanted to be called, so I decided to wait for my grandson to chose a name. He was about two, and while I was babysitting him one day, he called me Mum mum. It was perfect!
I call my grandfather pop pop and my grandma nana
My granddaughter calls me Cisa! We have no idea where this came from! But she insists that I’m Cisa.
When my daughter was pregnant we wondered what I should be called since I didn’t want to be called Grandma. When my granddaughter started to talk she somehow came up with Nonnie all on her own so that is who I am, Nonnie and I absolutely love it! My maternal Grandma was Gram and my paternal was Grandma.
I am Grandi/grandy, depending on who writes it out. My oldest grandson is 22, he called me that on one of our visits. And with each grandchild since. My youngest is now 12. Gpa or Gramps is used for their grandfather.