Nicknames for Grandparents
Becoming a grandparent often comes with a new name — and choosing it has become a real family decision. Some people are happy to be Grandma and Grandpa; others want something that feels like them, honors their heritage or sets them apart from the other set of grandparents. Here are 100+ nicknames for grandparents: classics, trendy modern picks, Southern favorites and the words families use around the world.
Many grandparent names start as a toddler’s first attempt at “grandma,” so don’t be surprised if the baby renames you anyway. For more family names, see our main nicknames list, our grandma names (the given names of that generation) and old lady names.
Classic grandma nicknames
The names most American grandchildren grow up saying. Nana and Grandma are still the most common by far.
| Nickname | Origin / note | Feels |
|---|---|---|
| Grandma | Short for grandmother | Classic |
| Nana | Early baby-talk for grandma, used across English and many other languages | Warm |
| Granny | Traditional British and American diminutive | Homey |
| Gran | Popular in the UK, Ireland and Australia | Crisp |
| Grammy | American pet form of grandma | Cheerful |
| Gramma | Phonetic spelling of how grandma is often said | Easy |
| Nanny | Common in the South and in England | Cozy |
| Grandmother | The formal original | Stately |
| Granma | Casual spoken form | Friendly |
| Mamaw | Appalachian and Southern grandma name | Country |
| Meemaw | Southern variant, made famous by Young Sheldon | Folksy |
| Big Mama | Southern title for the family matriarch | Commanding |
Modern and unique grandma names
Many new grandmothers now choose a playful name that feels younger. Several are built from initials (G.G. → Gigi) or a grandchild’s mispronunciation.
| Nickname | Origin / note | Feels |
|---|---|---|
| Mimi | Toddler-friendly and chic; one of the most popular new choices | Stylish |
| Gigi | From the initials G.G. (“Grandma G…”) | Glamorous |
| Lolli | Sweet, like a lollipop | Playful |
| Honey | For the grandma who calls everyone honey | Warm |
| Birdie | Light and lively | Whimsical |
| Lovey | For the most affectionate grandma | Tender |
| Coco | Often chosen by grandmas with a French flair | Chic |
| Sunny | For a sunny personality | Bright |
| Glamma | Glamorous plus grandma | Fun |
| Mia | Italian, “mine” | Modern |
| Bibi | Swahili for grandmother; also a cute nickname | Global |
| Mama Rose (or first name) | Mama + her first name, a Southern tradition | Personal |
| Queenie | For the family’s reigning matriarch | Regal |
| Marmee | Name for the mother in Little Women | Literary |
Classic grandpa nicknames
Grandpa names are usually short and hearty — easy for a toddler to shout across the yard.
| Nickname | Origin / note | Feels |
|---|---|---|
| Grandpa | Short for grandfather | Classic |
| Papa | Very common in the US; stressed on the first syllable | Warm |
| Pop | Short and punchy | Friendly |
| Pops | Easygoing version of Pop | Laid-back |
| Gramps | Affectionate American form | Folksy |
| Granddad | Common in the UK | Traditional |
| Grandpapa | Old-fashioned and dignified | Formal |
| Poppy | Sweet and soft; popular in Australia and the UK | Gentle |
| Pappy | Southern and Appalachian | Country |
| Pawpaw | Southern counterpart to Mawmaw | Folksy |
| Grandaddy | Southern favorite | Warm |
| Big Daddy | For the family patriarch | Bold |
Modern and fun grandpa names
For grandpas who want something with personality.
| Nickname | Origin / note | Feels |
|---|---|---|
| G-Pa | Short and cool | Modern |
| Grandy | Mix of grand and dandy | Friendly |
| Bubba | For the fun, laid-back grandpa | Playful |
| Skipper | For the grandpa with a boat | Nautical |
| Chief | For the head of the family | Joking respect |
| Ace | For the grandpa who wins every card game | Cool |
| Buddy | Grandpa as best pal | Friendly |
| Pappo | Twist on Papa | Unique |
| Doc | For a retired doctor | Personal |
| Coach | For the sports-loving grandpa | Sporty |
| Sarge | For a military veteran | Respectful |
| Big Papa | Warm and larger-than-life | Bold |
Grandma names from around the world
Using a heritage word keeps a family language alive. Several cultures have different words for your mother’s mother and your father’s mother. See also our Italian names and Hebrew names.
| Nickname | Language | Note / pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Abuela | Spanish | ah-BWEH-lah; Abuelita is the loving diminutive |
| Nonna | Italian | NOHN-nah |
| Oma | German and Dutch | OH-mah |
| Mamie | French | mah-MEE |
| Bubbe | Yiddish | BUB-ee; also spelled Bubbie |
| Savta | Hebrew | SAHV-tah |
| Yiayia | Greek | YAH-yah |
| Lola | Tagalog (Filipino) | LOH-lah |
| Babcia | Polish | BAHB-chah |
| Babushka | Russian | BAH-boosh-kah (stress on the first syllable) |
| Avó | Portuguese | ah-VAW |
| Mormor | Swedish, Danish, Norwegian | “Mother’s mother” |
| Farmor | Swedish, Danish, Norwegian | “Father’s mother” |
| Nani | Hindi / Urdu | Mother’s mother |
| Dadi | Hindi / Urdu | Father’s mother |
| Halmeoni | Korean | hahl-muh-NEE; Halmoni is a common spelling |
| Obaachan | Japanese | oh-BAH-chahn |
| Nai Nai | Mandarin Chinese | Father’s mother |
| Lao Lao | Mandarin Chinese | Mother’s mother |
| Móraí | Irish | MOR-ee |
| Nain | Welsh | NINE |
| Teta | Arabic (Levantine) | TEH-tah |
| Tūtū | Hawaiian | TOO-too; used for either grandparent |
| Bà | Vietnamese | BAH |
Grandpa names from around the world
Matching grandpa names for many of the languages above.
| Nickname | Language | Note / pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Abuelo | Spanish | ah-BWEH-loh; Abuelito is the diminutive |
| Nonno | Italian | NOHN-noh |
| Opa | German and Dutch | OH-pah |
| Papi | French | pah-PEE; also spelled Papy |
| Zayde | Yiddish | ZAY-dee |
| Saba | Hebrew | SAH-bah |
| Pappou | Greek | pah-POO |
| Lolo | Tagalog (Filipino) | LOH-loh |
| Dziadek | Polish | JAH-dek; Dziadziu is the affectionate form |
| Dedushka | Russian | DYEH-doosh-kah |
| Avô | Portuguese | ah-VOH |
| Morfar | Swedish, Danish, Norwegian | “Mother’s father” |
| Farfar | Swedish, Danish, Norwegian | “Father’s father” |
| Nanaji | Hindi / Urdu | Mother’s father (with respectful -ji) |
| Dadaji | Hindi / Urdu | Father’s father (with respectful -ji) |
| Harabeoji | Korean | hah-rah-buh-JEE |
| Ojiichan | Japanese | oh-JEE-chahn |
| Ye Ye | Mandarin Chinese | Father’s father |
| Lao Ye | Mandarin Chinese | Mother’s father |
| Daideó | Irish | DAD-yo |
| Taid | Welsh | TIDE |
| Jiddo | Arabic (Levantine) | JID-doh |
| Ông | Vietnamese | OHM |
Matching grandparent name pairs
Many couples choose names that go together — handy when a toddler needs to tell four grandparents apart.
| Pair | Style | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mimi & Papa | Modern classic | One of the most popular pairs in the US |
| Nana & Pop-Pop | Traditional | Easy for toddlers |
| Gigi & Pops | Fun and youthful | Both short and bouncy |
| Meemaw & Peepaw | Southern | Deeply country |
| Oma & Opa | German / Dutch heritage | Perfectly symmetrical |
| Nonna & Nonno | Italian heritage | Classic and warm |
| Honey & Pop | Sweet and simple | Great for a lovey grandma |
| Granny & Gramps | Old-fashioned | Storybook feel |
How to choose your grandparent name
- Coordinate with the other grandparents. If one grandma is already Nana, pick something distinct so the kids (and the group chat) can tell you apart.
- Think toddler-friendly. Repeated syllables (Mimi, Gigi, Pop-Pop) are the easiest for babies to say.
- Honor your heritage. Words like Abuela, Nonna, Lola or Bubbe connect grandchildren to a family language and culture.
- Stay flexible. Your grandchild may invent a name — many grandmas became “Gaga” or “Mae-Mae” this way, and those are often the names that stick.
- Say it in public. Imagine a ten-year-old shouting it across a soccer field. If you like how that sounds, it’s a keeper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular grandma nickname?
Grandma and Nana remain the most common in the US, with Mimi, Gigi and Granny also very popular among new grandmothers.
What are unique names for grandpa?
Try Pappy, Poppy, Skipper, Ace, Grandy, Chief or a heritage name like Opa, Nonno, Zayde or Lolo.
What do Swedish grandchildren call their grandparents?
Swedish uses descriptive words: mormor (mother’s mother), farmor (father’s mother), morfar (mother’s father) and farfar (father’s father).
What does Tūtū mean?
In Hawaiian, tūtū is an affectionate word for grandparent, used for both grandmothers and grandfathers.
Can grandparents choose their own nickname?
Yes, and many do before the baby arrives. Just be prepared: grandchildren often rename their grandparents with their first attempt at speech.