115+ Grandpa Names and How to Choose Yours
You get to pick what your grandchild calls you—one of the first real decisions when you become a grandpa. Pop or Papa? Something playful like Boppa, or a name that nods to who you already are? Here are 115+ grandpa names to try on, plus how to find the one that fits you and works alongside the other grandparents in the family.
Before the baby arrives, most of the big decisions belong to the parents. The baby’s name, the nursery, the car seat, the pediatrician. But there's one choice that's almost always entirely yours: what your grandchild will call you.
For some grandfathers, the answer is obvious. You've always known you'd be Grandpa, same as your own grandfather, and that's that. For others, it's surprisingly hard. Maybe Grandpa feels too old for how you see yourself. Maybe there's already a Grandpa on the other side. Maybe you just want something that sounds like you.
That's what this list is for. Below you'll find 115+ grandpa names, sorted by style, from the classics to the cool to the ones a toddler is most likely to actually say. Somewhere in here is the name your grandchild will shout across a room for the next thirty years.
What are the most popular grandpa names?
The classics stay popular for a reason. They're warm, easy to say, and they carry generations of meaning. Papa is one of the most common grandpa names in the country, loved because it's simple and it's often one of the first words a toddler manages. Pop, Pops, and Pop Pop land in the same friendly territory. Grandpa, Gramps, and Granddad round out the traditional favorites.
If you want something that feels familiar but a little softer, the "-y" endings do a lot of work: Grampy, Poppy, Pappy, Grandpappy. These sound gentle coming from a small child, which is part of why they stick.
Classic and traditional grandpa names
Pap Pap
Papa
Pappy
Paps
Papster
Papu
Pop
Pop Pop
Pops
Poppy
Poppo
Poppi
Popsi
Popsy
Grandpa
Grampa
Gramp
Grandpop
Grandpapa
Grandfather
Granddad
Grandaddy
Grandpappy
Gramps
Grampsy
Grampy
Grampers
Pa
Pap
What are some unique or cool grandpa names?
Plenty of grandfathers want something with a little more personality. Maybe you're not a "Grandpa" type, or maybe you just like the idea of a name nobody else in the family has. These fun grandpa names lean playful, cool, or a touch bold.
Some grandfathers go with a name that reflects what they're known for. A former athlete becomes Coach. The family fix-it man becomes Doc or Professor. The one who's always steering the boat becomes Captain, Skipper, or Chief. These "title" names work especially well when they're already true to who you are.
Unique and cool grandpa names
G-Pa
G-Pop
Gee
Gopa
Goopa
Grady
Granddude
King
Major
Papi
Pip
Poppa G
Popdaddy
Popz
Professor
Rocky
Saint
Senior
Sir
Skipper
Ace
Boomer
Boss
Buck
Buzz
Buzzy
Captain
Chief
Coach
Daddio
Doc
Duke
Big Daddy
Big Pa
Big Pop
Big Poppa
Big Kahuna
G-Da
G-Dad
G-Dog
G-Daddy
What are the cutest grandpa names for babies and toddlers to say?
Toddlers may have their own opinion here. Some of the most-loved grandpa names in the world started as a toddler's best attempt at "Grandpa" and simply stuck.
Names with repeating sounds are easiest for new talkers. Baba, Boppa, Bubba, Pop Pop, Pawpaw, Peepaw. Short and bouncy wins. If you have your heart set on a name, go ahead and use it, but hold it loosely. Bumpa, Boppy, and Poppo are all names that started as happy accidents and became the real thing.
Sweet and easy-to-say grandpa names
Gee-Paw
Geez
Grady
Grandbop
Grandsie
Grandy
Gumpa
Gumps
Gus
Pawpaw
Peepaw
Peppy
Pippo
Popo
Popparoo
Popeye
Api
Baba
Baboo
Bappy
Bompa
Bonpa
Bop
Boppa
Boppy
Bubba
Bubs
Buddy
Buster
Bumpa
Bumpy
Gampa
Geepa
What are some fun grandpa names?
Some of the most beloved grandpa names sound a little cranky, and that's what’s fun about them. A Grumpa or a Grumpy is almost never actually grumpy. It's the kind of name a family gives with a wink, usually to the softie who pretends to complain about babysitting and then never wants to hand the baby back.
"Grumpy" grandpa names and teddy-bear picks
Grand Bear
Bear
Papa Bear
Poppy Bear
Grumpa
Grumps
Grumpus
Grumpy
Grandma and grandpa names that go together
This is where a little planning can save the grown-ups some confusion. If the grandmother in your household is going with a traditional name like Grandma or Nana, a matching Grandpa or Papa keeps things tidy. If she's picked something with more flair, you'll want a name that sits nicely beside it. Poppy and Mimi. Boppa and Gigi. Pop and Lolly. We wrote a companion piece on how to choose a grandma name that walks through the same questions from the other side, and a guide to grandma and grandpa names that go together and names from around the world for more inspiration.
Then there's the other set of grandparents, and this is where a lot of families tie themselves in knots worrying about two grandpas with the same name. But the kids will be fine. Children are remarkably good at keeping people straight, even when the names sound almost identical. My own children had a Poppo on one side and a Papoo on the other. The adults constantly said the wrong name. The kids never did. They knew exactly which grandfather was which.
Both of my grandfathers were called Granddaddy, and I never confused them either. In my own head, one was Granddaddy Pipe, because he always had a pipe going. The name was the same. The men were completely distinct to me.
So if you love a name that happens to match the other grandpa's, don't let that stop you. If the duplication bugs the adults more than the kids, the easy fixes still apply: one grandpa adds a first name (Grandpa Jim), takes a variation (Pop Pop instead of Grandpa), or picks something distinct. But do it because you want to, not because you're worried the baby can't handle it. They can.
What if the parents want a say in your grandpa name?
Sometimes they do, and it's worth listening. Parents occasionally have a preference—maybe they want to reserve "Papa" for the other side, or they'd rather the names not get confusing for the baby. This is a small thing to be gracious about. You're building a relationship with the whole family, and starting it by cheerfully working out names together sets a good tone.
If you're wondering how much input parents typically have here, we dug into exactly that question in who gets to pick grandparent names. The short version: it's mostly your call, but a little flexibility goes a long way.
The name is just the first step when you become a grandpa
Whatever your grandchild ends up calling you, it's going to become one of your favorite words. But the name itself is the easy part. What fills it—the reading, the visits, the inside jokes, the way you show up—is what your grandchild will actually remember.
If you want help with that part, we send new and expectant grandparents a weekly note with practical, up-to-date ideas for building a close relationship with your grandchild and a good one with their parents. Join the More Than Grand email list and we'll help you make your grandpa name mean something.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular grandpa name?
Papa is among the most common grandpa names in the U.S., valued for being warm, simple, and one of the first words most toddlers can say. Grandpa, Pop, and Gramps are close behind.
Can I choose my own grandpa name, or does the baby decide?
You can absolutely choose your own. Just stay a little flexible—many well-loved grandpa names, like Bumpa or Poppo, began as a toddler's mispronunciation and became permanent.
What should I do if there’s another Grandpa in the family?
You have options, but don't stress about it. Children keep people straight even when the names match, so two Grandpas usually isn't the problem adults assume. If you'd still rather differentiate, one grandpa can add a first name (Grandpa Mike), take a variation (Pop Pop instead of Grandpa), or choose something different.
When should I decide on a grandpa name?
Before the baby arrives is ideal, so everyone's using the same name from the first photo caption and introduction. That said, don't be surprised if the grandchild adjusts it once they start talking.