Grandparent Nicknames: Beyond Grandma & Grandpa
How do you choose your grandma and grandpa names? Sometimes it’s an easy choice.
Janet always knew she wanted to be called Grandma when the day came. “I have such warm memories of my own grandmother, and sharing that name with her feels like the best way to honor her.”
Tony opted for Nonno, as his family has always called the grandfathers in his Italian family. “I’m proud of our heritage and can’t imagine using any other name.” His wife, Evelyn, isn’t Italian, but loves the idea of being a Nonna, the traditional Italian name for grandmother.
Lisa wanted something more fun when she and Steve became grandparents. “We’re going to go by Lolli and Pop! Isn’t that the cutest?”
But then there are people like Alice, who had never thought about her grandmother nickname. She didn’t feel like a “Grandma” and her own mother, who is still alive and active, goes by Nana. None of the names she’s come across feel right. She figures she’ll wait until her grandson, now just a month old, christens her.
Her daughter, however, has pointed out how awkward her indecision is. “I’m sure he’ll come up with something, but what am I supposed to call her in the meantime? Do I just refer to her as ‘my mother’ and hope he someday magically invents a name that she likes?”
Which brings us to the question: how do you choose a grandparent name when you don’t have a clear idea of what you want to be called? If you want a cool sounding grandpa name, or a name for a young grandma?
There are so many different names for grandfather and grandmother! This is such a big event in your life, and deciding which is the best nickname can seem like a momentous decision.
Here’s our best advice: find a good, long list of nicknames—you’ll find one below for both grandmothers and grandfathers. Our list doesn't contain names from other cultures, since if you have a traditional option you likely already know what it is. You don’t want to accidentally choose a nickname and then discover it’s the traditional Lakota name for grandfather. Once you have your list, print it out. Then follow these steps:
Go through your list of grandparent nicknames and put a line through the names you know you don't want to be called. You’ll be able to eliminate a lot of them easily and narrow down the field quickly.
Now that you’ve crossed a bunch of names off, go through the list a second time. This time, circle the names that you like the sound of.
Look through all the names you've circled. Is there is a pattern? Perhaps you like more creative names, or ones that start with a certain letter. Maybe the traditional nicknames for grandma spark more joy than the more unusual ones do.
Pick your top 5-7, then say those names out loud. Which ones feel natural?
Once you've narrowed it down to just a couple, ask a friend to call you by those names and see how they feel when someone else says them.
Run them by your grandchild’s parents and see if they have any preference or objection. Remember, they’ll be stuck having to use this name, too. If they squirm when you announce you’d like to be called Granddude, consider their feelings.
Don’t get too attached to the name you’ve chosen. Once he or she starts talking, you grandchild is likely to come up with a different name for you.
As promised, here are lists of grandpa names and grandma names to help you find the right one for you!
Nicknames for Grandma (Click here for a printable list)
Abba
Alba
Ama
A-May
Amba
Ami, Aimee
Amma
Ammy
Babe
Babo
Bacca
Bama, Bamma
Bamaw, Bammaw
Bamba
Bebe
Bella
Belle or Bella
Big Mama
Birdie
BonBon
Bubbie
CeCe, CiCi, CC, Cee Cee
Coco
Dally
DaMa, Dama, Dammaw
Dandy
Eema, Eemaw, Ema
Fammy
Fancy
Fo-Ma, Faux Ma
Foxy
G
G.M.
Gada
Gadgee, Gadgi, Gadgy
GaGa, Gagga
GaMa, Gamma
Gammi, Gammy, Gami,
Gammie
Gams
GandyMom
GanGan
Gangy, GanGee
Ganna
Ganni, Ganny, Gani
G-Dawg
Geeda, Geda
GeeMa
GeezerGirl
GG
Ginja
Gita
Glamama
Glamma
Glammy
G-ma
G-Mom
Gogi
Go-Go
Gommie, Gommy
Gram
Gramma, Grama
Grammar
Grammie, Grammy
Gramommie
Grams or Gramms
Gran
Grana
Granan
Granana
Grananny
Grandama
Grandgran
Grandma
Grandmama
Grandmom
Grandmother
Grandnan
Grandy, Grandi, GranDee
Granette
Grani, Granni, Granee
Granita
Granma
Granmama
Granmanny
Granmom
Granna
Grannie, Granny
Graylor
Grea, Greah
Gumma
Gummy
Hamma
Honey
Jamma
Kitty
Lala
Lally
Layla
Leelo, Lilo
Lela
Lola
Lolly, Lolli
M’dear
Magga
Mamaw, Mammaw
Mamey
Mammy,Mami, Mammi
Mams
Manni
Marmi, Marme
MawMaw
MayMay
Maymee
Mayna
Maysi
MeeMee, MeMe, MiMi
Meemer
MeMa, Meema, MeMaw,
imaw
MeMo, MeeMo, Mimo
MeMom
Memot
Mia
Mimma
Mimmy, Mimsy
Minny, Mini
Modie
MoMa, MoMaw
MoMar
Mombo
Momette
MomMom
Mommoo
MoMo
Momsy
Mona
Monee
Mooma
Mum, Mums
Mumica
Mummers
Mumsy, Mumsey
MuMu
Muna
Nama, Namma
Nan
Nana, Nanna
Nanima
Nanny
Nano
Naunee
Necie
Neema
Nema
Ne-Ma
NeNe, NiNi
Nimo
Ninna
Ninny, Ninni
Noma
Noni, NoNi, NoNee,
onni, Nonny
NotherMother
Ona, Onna
Onie
OtherMother
Pama
Pebbles
Pippa
Pippy
Poma, Pomma
Sugar
Sugie, Shugie
TeeMa
Uma, Umma
Vanna
Wela
Yama
Yana
YaYo
Nicknames for Grandpa (Click here for a printable list)
Ace
Api
Baba
Baboo
Bappy
Big Daddy
Big Pa
Bompa
Bonpa
Boomer
Bop
Boppa
Boppy
Boss
Bubba
Bubs
Buck
Buddy
Buster
Buzz
Buzzy
Captain
Chief
Coach
Daddio
Doc
Duke
G Pop
G/Gee
G-Da
G-Dad
G-Dog
Geepa/ Gee-paw
Geez
Goopa
Gopa
G-Pa
G-Pop
Grady
Grampa
Grampers
Gramps
Grampy
Grand Bear
Grandaddy
Grandbop
Granddad
Granddude
Granddude
Grandfather
Grandpappy
Grandsie
Grandy
Grumpa
Grumps
Grumpus
Grumpy
Gumpa
Gumps
Gus
King
Major
Pa
Pap
Pap Pap
Papa
Papi
Pappy
Paps
Papster
Papzie
Patri
Pawpaw/Paw-Paw
Peepaw
Peppy
Pip
Pippo
Pop Pop
Popdaddy
Popo
Poppi
Poppo
Poppy
Popsi
Popsicle
Popz
Professor
Rocky
Saint
Senior
Sir
Skipper
What’s your grandparent nickname? Share it in the comments!