The Ultimate Guide to Grandparent Names

We have every name you can possibly think of, and then some. Pick yours!

by The Editors

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Choosing your grandparent name — you know, the one you want your grandkids to call you — can be almost as challenging as it was to select your own kids' names. Coauthors Lin Wellford and Skye Pifer's new book, The New Grandparents Name List, a Lighthearted Guide to Picking the Perfect Grandparent Name (ArtStone Press, 2009),

Do you like your grandparent name? Yes, I chose it myself 42.5% Yes, my grandchild chose it 44.7% Yes, even though someone else chose it 8.3% Not really, but I'll live with it 3.5% Not at all 0.9% Do you like your grandparent name? Yes, I chose it myself Yes, my grandchild chose it Yes, even though someone else chose it Not really, but I'll live with it Not at all

could help ease the process. We organized the grandmother names and grandfather names into traditional categories, then into lists that cover trendy monikers, playful and personality-based designations, and international terms. So, start scanning and post a comment below to let us know if there's a different moniker you embrace.

Need some help? Read how to choose a grandparent name.

For Grandmothers: • Traditional • Trendy • Playful • Personality and Interest-Based • International • Reader Submissions

For Grandfathers: • Traditional • Trendy Grandfather • Playful Grandfather • Personality and Interest-Based • International • Reader Submissions

TRADITIONAL GRANDMOTHER NAMES

Bamaw, Bammaw Big Mama Bubbie DaMa Dama , Dammaw Eema, Eemaw, Ema G Gada GadGee, Gadgi Gadgy GaMa, Gamma Gammi, Gammy, Gami Ganna Ganni, Ganny, Gani GanGan G-ma Gommie, Gommy Gram Gramma, Grama Grammie, Grammy Gramommie Grams Granana Grananny Grandama Grandgran

Grandma Grandmom Grandmother Grandnan Granma Granmama Granmom Granna Granny Gumma Jamma Mamaw, Mamey Mammaw Mammy Mams Marmi, Marme MawMaw MayMay MayMay Maymee MeMa, Meema MeMaw, Mimaw MeMo, MeeMo Mimo MeeMee, MeMe MiMi

Mima Mimma Mimmy Mimsy Minny MoMa, MoMaw MoMo MomMom Momsy Mum, Mums Mumsy, Mumsey Nama, Namma Nan Nana, Nanna Nanny Ne-ma NeNe, NiNi Ninna Ninny, Ninni Nona, Nonna Noni, NoNi, NoNee Nonni, Nonny Ona, Onna

TRADITIONAL GRANDFATHER NAMES

Banfy Banpa Banpy Bappa Bappy Beebaw BoBo BooBoo, Boo Boompa Boppa, Bop Da Da Pa DaPaw Drampa Drampaw G Gampa Gamps Gampy

Ganpa G-pa Gram Grampa, Grampaw Gramps Grampy Gran Grand Granda Grandad Grandaddy Grandiddy Grandgramp Grandpappy Granpap Granpappy Granpop Granpoppa Gumpa

Gumpy Gwampa Pa Pampa, PamPawPap PaPa PapPap Papps Pappy PawPaw PawPee PeePaw Pop Poppa PopPop Poppy, Popi Pops Popsi

TRENDY GRANDMOTHER NAMES

Ama A-May Ami, Aimee Ammy Babe Babo Bacca Bamba Bama, Bamma Bella Birdie BonBon CeCe, CiCi Coco Dally Dandy Fancy Fammy Fo-Ma, Faux Ma Foxy GaGa GandyMom Gangy, GanGee G-Dawg Gidget Ginja G-Mom Geeda, Geda GeezerGirl Gita GeeMa Glamama Glamma Glammy G.M. Gogi Go-Go Grammar

Grandiose Grandy, Grandi, GranDee Granan Granette Granita Grani, Granni, Granee Granmanny Graylor Grea, Greah Gummy Hamma Kitty LaLa Lally Layla Leelo, Lilo Lela Lola Mami, Mammi MamaMia Manni Mayna MayMay Maysi M'dear Meemer MeMom Memot Mia Miami Minny, Mini Modie Momette MoMar Mombo MomMom Mommoo Mooma

Momsy Mona Monee Mumica Mummers MuMu Muna Nano Nanima Naunee Necie Neema Nema Noma NotherMother Nimo OtherMother Onie Pama Pebbles Pippa Pippy Poma, Pomma Salsa Soosa Sugar Sugie, Shugie Tama, Tamma Tammy Tamsy TeeMa Uma, Umma Vanna Womba Wela YaYo Yama Yana

 

TRENDY GRANDFATHER NAMES

Ace Adda Baba Babar Badda B.D., BeDe BeeMa, BeMa BigBop BiggieD Bobaloo Bop Bubba Buck Bud Buddy Buster Buzz, Buzzy Chief Coach Dabadoo Daddor Dadoo Dandy Dappy DeDad DeeDah Dexter Dodie Doody

Doozy G-Daddy G-Dad, GeeDad G-Dawg G-Dog Geezer Guy, Geez G-Man G.P., GeePee Grand-D Grando Grad Gradaddy Graddy Grady Granda Grandy Granite Grandoody Grandude Grindy Grindiddy G.P. Mellowman MoreDaddy Odie Napa Nemo Panda Papi

Papster Papadaddy Pawser, Pawsey PeePa, Peepaw Peepers Pepe Pogo Popeo Pepo Peppy Podge Pompa Poppers Popples Poppo PoPo Puggles P-Pop PopZ Puppa Puppaw Rocky Skipper Slick Umpa, Ump Ta-Pa Wampa Wompa, Wompaw

PLAYFUL GRANDMOTHER NAMES

Abba Banana Bambi – A cuddly name for someone dear Bamboo Beemer Booma Boomie Bunny Ciaba – "cha-bah" Dizzy Dodie Doodie, Dooty Gadget Gitchey Grampoo Granny Mame – A play on 'Auntie Mame' Grammug – Coffee, root beer, or brew Grimmi Jamagramma – If sleepovers are a favorite Jamma Khakie, Kakie Lolly, Lolli Lulu Mamabear Mamacita Mambo

Mayzie Momsy Moogie, Moogs Moo-Moo MoreMom, MoreMama Muddy Muffer, Muffy, Muff Mumpy, Mumps Nanamy Pittypat PomPom Nanoo Nooni NuNu Puddy Pumpkin Punky Tink, Tinky Tinkerbell Toots Tootsie Twinkles Twinkie Upsy Unni Uttermutter, Uddermudder Wicky – Makes light of the 'wicked stepmother' cliche

PLAYFUL GRANDFATHER NAMES

Babaloo Baboo Bebop Bo, Beau Bogie Champ Dabba Dabbadoo Dadsy Derby DoDad, DooDad

Dodie Doody Doozy Faux Pa, Fo-Pa Granpup Grantie Hummer Jeepers Podge Pogo

PERSONALITY & INTEREST-BASED GRANDMOTHER NAMES

BiggieMa – For larger than life grandmas BiggieMama Big Gram Bubbles – An effervescent personality Cookie Cha-cha – A lively name with a bit of spice Chatty – Talkative people know who they are Dear, DearMa Dearie Gabby, Gabbi GoGo – Perfect for high-energy types GoMa Grancie, Grancy Grinni, Grinny – Celebrate a sunny outlook Happy Honey Huggy, Hugs, Hugme – Names demonstrative grandmas can embrace Lovey – The very essence of grandmothering LoveyDovey – Even lovier Mermie – A play on "mermaid" for swimmers Mini, MiniMa – Perfect for small grandmothers MaxiMa – Equally perfect for generously-sized grandmothers QueenB/Queen Bee – If her given name begins with B Queenie – Another way to acknowledge a regal grandma Sew-Sew, SewMa – For grandmothers who love needle arts SloMa – The easy-going opposite of GoMa Snuggy, Snugs, Snuggums – Cuddly grandmas might cozy up to any of these Sunny – Give this name to a grandma who always seems to shine Sweetie – Some grandmothers are just sweeter than others Sweetums – An updated version of an old Endearment TeaMa

PERSONALITY & INTEREST-BASED GRANDFATHER NAMES

BigD, BiggieD Big Daddy, BiggieDad Bobber – Perfect name for a fishing granddad or one who's given name is Robert Checkers Coach – Fits any sports buff Domino Dozer – Works for heavy equipment operator as well as a sleepy grandpa GoPa, Go-Pa Grinndy – If he's smilin' all the time! Grumpy – But everyone knows it's just a facade, right? Guapo – Means 'handsome man' in Spanish, so award with appropriate discretion Hee-Haw – For a good ole' country boy Hi5 – This popular greeting also makes a great name! HoHo – Jolly grandpas aren't just for Christmas! Howdy Huggy, HugMe Paddles – Canoeists and kayakers take note if this name floats your boat Peppers Sarge – If he was one, or just acts like one Skipper – Appropriate for boatmen of all sorts SloPa Splash – Covers a variety of water sports Tank – Another choice for a sizable grandpa Tug – A name that suggests size or stamina TeePa – Golfer grandpa might line up behind this one UmPaPa – For a tuba player or someone who loves a marching band

INTERNATIONAL GRANDMOTHER NAMES

Aborigine Australian Formal – Garrimaay Australian Paternal – Mamaay Australian Maternal – Momu Polynesian Maori dialect – Tipuna Wahine African Berber dialect – Henna Botswanan – Nkuku Shona dialect – Ambuya Swahili – Bibi, Nyanya Venda dialect – Makhulu Xhosa dialect – Umakhulu Zulu dialect – Ugogo Afrikaans – Ouma Albanian – Gjyshe American Indian Cherokee – E-Ni-Si Cheyenne – Neske'e Eskimo, Inupiaq dialect – Aanaga Navajo (maternal) – Ma'saani Navajo (paternal) – Nali' Ojibway – Nookmis, Nookomis Arabic Formal – Jaddah, Jiddah Informal – Teta Armenian – Tatik, Papik Basque – Amona Belarusen – Babka Breton – Mamm-gozh Cajun – MawMaw Catalan – Àvia, Iaia Chinese Cantonese Paternal – Ngin Cantonese Maternal – PoPo Mandarin Paternal –Z¨³m¨³ Mandarin Maternal – Wài pó Croatian – Baka Danish Formal – Bedstemoder Paternal – Farmor Maternal – MorMor Dutch – Grootmoeder Esperanto – Avin Estonian – Va naema Farsi – Madar Bozorg Filipino Cebuano Formal – Apohang babae Informal – Lola Finnish – Isoaiti, Mummo Flemish – Bomma French Formal – Grand-mère Informal – Gra-mere, Mémé SemiFormal – Grandmaman Galician – Avoa Georgian – Bebia German Formal – Grossmutter Informal – Oma Greek – Yaya, Gigia Guarani (South America) – Jaryi Hawaiian Formal – Kapuna Wahine Informal – Puna, TuTu, Kuku Hebrew – Savta Hungarian Formal – Nagyanya Informal – Yanya, Anya

Icelandic – Amma India Bengali Paternal – Thakur-ma Bengali Maternal – Dida, Didima Hindi – Daadima Southwestern – Ajji Urdu Paternal – Daadi Urdu Maternal – Nanni Indonesian – Nenek Irish/Gaelic Formal – Seanmhair Informal – Maimeo or Morai Italian – Nonna Japanese Formal – Obaasan, Oba-Chan, Sobo (one's own grandmother) Informal – Obaba Korean – Halmoni Latvian – Vecmate Lebanese – Sitti Lithuanian – Senele, Mociute Malagasy – Nenibe Maltese – Nanna Norwegian – Bestemor, Godmor Paternal – Farmor Maternal – MorMor Polish Formal – Babka, Babcia, Informal – Jaja, Zsa-Zsa, Busha, Gigi Portuguese – Avo Romanian – Bunica Russian – Babushka Sanskrit Paternal – Pitaamahii Maternal – Maataamahii Serbian – Baba, Mica Slovakian – Babicka Slovenian – Stara Mama Spanish Formal – Abuela Informal Diminutive – Abuelita, Uelita, Tita, Abby, Abbi, Lita Swedish Paternal – FarMor Maternal – MorMor Swiss Formal – Grossmami Syrian – Teta, Jadda Tamil – Pathi Thai Maternal – Ya Paternal – Yai Turkish – Buyuk Anne, Anneanne, Babanne Turkmen – Ene Ukranian Formal – Babusia Informal – Baba Uzbek – Bibi Vietnamese Formal – Danh tá»­ Informal – Ba, Bà già Welsh Southern – Mamgu Northern – Naini, Nain Yiddish – Bubby, Bubbe

INTERNATIONAL GRANDFATHER NAMES

Aborigine Australian Formal – Maili Australian Paternal – Waayamaa Australian Maternal – Garrimaay Polynesian Maori dialect – Tipuna Tane African Berber dialect – Tamazight Botswanan – Ntatemogolo Shona dialect – Sekuru Swahili – Babu Venda dialect – Mmakhulu Xhosa dialect – Utat'omkhulu Zulu dialect – Ubabamkhulu Afrikaans – Oupa Albanian – Babagjysh American Indian Cherokee – Agiduda, E-du-di Cheyenne – Shi'choo Eskimo, Inupiaq dialect – Ataataga Navajo (maternal) – Chei Navajo (paternal) – Nali' Ojibway – Mishomis Arabic Formal – Jadd Informal – Seedo Armenian – Metzhayr Basque – Aitona Belarusen – Dzied Breton – Tad-Kozh Cajun – PawPaw Catalan – Aviah Chinese Cantonese Paternal –Yeh Yeh Cantonese Maternal – Gong Gong Mandarin Paternal – YeYe Mandarin Maternal – Wai Gong Croatian –Djed Danish Formal – Bedstefader Paternal – Farfar Maternal – Morfar Dutch – Grootvader Esperanto – Avo Estonian – Vanaisahttp Farsi – Pedaer Bozorg Filipino,Cebuano Formal – Apohang lalaki Informal – Lolo Finnish – Isoisa, Ukki, Vaari Flemish – Bonpahttp French Formal – Grand-père Informal – Pépère SemiFormal – Grand-papa Galician – Avo Georgian – Babu German Formal – Grossvader Informal – Opa Greek – Pappous Guarani, South America – Aba Hawaiian Formal – Kupuna Kane Informal – Tutu Kane Hebrew – Saba Hungarian Formal – Nagyapa Informal – Tata

Icelandic – Afi India Bengali Paternal – Dadu Bengali Maternal – Nanu Hindi – Daa-daa-jee Southwestern – Ajja Urdu Paternal – Daadaa Urdu Maternal – Daadi Indonesian – Petulu Irish/Gaelic Formal – Seanathair Informal – Daidoe, Daddo Italian – Nonno Japanese Formal – Ojiisan, Sofu (one's own grandfather) Informal – Sofu Korean – Halabeoji Latvian – Vectevas Lebanese – Jid Lithuanian – Senelis Malagasy – Babakoto Maltese – Nannu Norwegian – Bestefar Paternal – Farfar Maternal – Morfar Polish Formal – Dziadek Informal – Dziadzio Portuguese – Avo Romanian – Bunic, Bunicut Russian – Dedushka Sanskrit Paternal – Pitaamaha Maternal – Maataamaha Serbian – Deda Slovakian – Dedek, Dedi Slovenian – Ded Spanish Formal – Abuelo Informal Diminutive – Abuelito, Tito, Lito Swedish Paternal – Farfar Maternal – Morfar Swiss – Grosspapi Syrian – Jidu Tamil – Thatha Thai Paternal – Bpoo Maternal – Dtaa Turkish – Dede, Buyukbaba Turkmen – Baba Ukranian Formal – Dadju Informal – Gigi Uzbek – Bobo, Doda Vietnamese Formal – Ong Informal – Ong Noi Welsh Southern – Taidie Northern – Tad-cu, Taid Yiddish – Zaide, Zeydeh, Zeyde, Zeide, Zede

GRANDMOTHER NAMES FROM READERS

A Sava Bumpa Cano Dee DEEA Donny Gobby Goggie Grandmutter Grami Gr'ma Jimma

Lula Mamaga Mavourneen Maywee Mommo Na naa, Na nee Nani, Na nii Opa Peaches Safta Yaya

GRANDFATHER NAMES FROM READERS

Abu Baapumm Bampa Big Papa

Grandfellow Gr'pa Grumpa

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