145+ Other Names for Grandma When “Grandmother” Isn’t Right

Do you need a memorable and unique name for your grandkids to call you by (or a name for your kids to call their grandma by)? Look no further! There are plenty of names for a grandmother outside the classic “grandma” or “granny,” and you might be surprised by just how many options exist! In this article, we’ve compiled an extensive collection of names for a grandma, from the most popular names to cute, sassy, and creative ideas—so read on to see more.

Top Grandma Name Ideas

Classic names: Granny, Gram, Nana, Gammy, Gran-Gran, and Grandma
Cute names: Bunny, Coco, Ga-Ga, Gramsie, Kitty, Lolly, Marmee, and Mimsy
Names in other languages: Abbi, Amma, Baba, Bibi, Grann, Lola, Nonna, and Oma
Creative names: Ammy, Babs, Birdy, G-ma, Granna, Mammy, and Mimi

Section 1 of 8:

Traditional Names for Grandma

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There’s nothing wrong with the classics! If you want to go the traditional route, you can opt for one of the more popular and common grandmother names. You can also slightly tweak one of the classic names to personalize it a little or spell it differently if you prefer. For example:
- Grandmother
- Grandma
- Gran
- Granny (or Grannie)
- Gram
- Grammy (or Grammie)
- Nan
- Nana
- Nanny
- Gammie
- Gran-Gran
- Gan-Gan
- Grandmom

Section 2 of 8:

Names for Grandma in Other Languages

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You don’t need to stick to English, especially if your family has roots in other cultures and associated languages. After all, each language has its own way of saying “grandmother,” so try exploring those options. For example:^{[1]
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- Abuela, Abuelita, or Abbi (Spanish)
- Amma (Icelandic)
- Avo (European Portuguese) and Vovo (Brazilian Portuguese)
- Baba (Ukrainian)
- Babcia (Polish)
- Babushka (Russian)
- Bibi (Swahili)
- Bomma (Flemish)
- Bubbe, Bubbie, or Bubby (Yiddish)
- Farmor (paternal, Swedish) and Mormor (maternal, Swedish)
- Grand-mere (French)
- Grann (Creole)
- Halmeoni (Korean)
- Jadati (Arabic)
- Laolao (maternal, Mandarin) and Nainai (paternal, Mandarin)
- Lola (Filipino)
- Maa Maa (paternal, Cantonese) and Po Po (maternal, Cantonese)
- Mamie (Canadian French)
- Mamo (Irish)
- Nenek (Indonesian)
- Nonna (Italian)
- Oma (Dutch and German)
- Ouma (Afrikaans) and Ugogo (Zulu dialect)
- Savta (Hebrew)
- Tutu (Hawaiian)
- Yia-Yia or Ya-Ya (Greek)

Section 3 of 8:

Cute Names for Grandma

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Are you looking for a nickname as sweet as your grandmother? If so, there are plenty of super-adorable names for a grandma to choose from. And, if you’re thinking about names for a grandpa, too, consider how the two nicknames will sound together. You could try coming up with names that match!^{[2]
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- Be-Be
- Bunny
- Cha-Cha
- Cherie
- Coco
- Cookie
- Daisy
- Ga-Ga
- Gimmy
- Gogo
- Golly
- Gramsie
- Gram-Gram
- Happy
- Kitty
- Lolly
- Lovie (or Lovey)
- May-May
- Marmee
- Minnie
- Mimsy
- Mom-Mom
- Moo-Maw
- Momsie
- Peaches
- Pippa

Section 4 of 8:

Sassy Names for Grandma

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If your grandmother is a regular sass master (or you’re just looking for a nickname that’s a little more fun, youthful, and playful-sounding), try coming up with a “sassy” grandma name! Take a look at this list of bold grandma names with extra attitude:
- Abba
- Birdy
- Gabby
- Gam
- Gigi
- Glam
- Glamma
- G-ma
- G-mom
- Gram Cracker
- Grams
- Hopie
- Kiki
- Kitty
- Meems
- Mimzy
- Moo-Moo
- Nene
- Poppy
- Queenie
- Sassy
- Sweetie
- Tootsie
- Za-Za
- Zsa-Zsa

Section 5 of 8:

Creative Names for Grandma

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Don’t be afraid to get creative and explore totally unique options (or names you might not usually think of calling a grandma). You won’t be the only one! Did you know Goldie Hawn’s grandkids call her “Glam-ma”? Or that Debbie Reynolds’ nickname was “Aba Daba”? Sharon Osbourne’s grandma name is “Shazza,” and Kris Jenner’s is “Lovey.” So, the world really is your oyster.^{[3]
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- Alba
- Ammy
- Babs
- Bamma (or Bama)
- Bella (or Belle)
- Birdy (or Birdie)
- Deedee (or Didi)
- Fifi
- Gaga
- Gangie
- Gramma-Bamma
- Granna
- Granana
- Lala
- Lally
- Lulu
- Mammy
- Mamey
- Mams
- Mia
- Minny
- Momo
- Mumsie
- Nanner
- Neema
- Ona (or Onna)
- Sugar
- Uma
- Vava
- Vanna
- Yama
- Yumma

Section 6 of 8:

Southern Names for Grandma

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If you’re from the American South (or grew up there), you might want to use a grandmother name that’s traditionally southern—such as one of the following popular options:
- Gram
- Gramma
- Gramaw
- Grandmamma
- Mamaw
- Maw-Maw
- Meemaw
- Mimi
- Nene

Section 7 of 8:

Gender-Neutral Names for a Grandparent

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Whether you’re just looking for a more general name to use or you have a nonbinary grandparent, it can be pretty cool (and inclusive) to use gender-neutral nicknames in the family. So, consider the following:
- Baba
- Heart
- Honey
- Hugs
- Gramby
- Grandcestor
- Grandy
- Grandwa
- Nini
- Panda
- Punky
- Sunny
- Sunshine
- Zippy

Section 8 of 8:

How to Choose a Grandma Name

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1
Consider factors like personality, heritage, and family traditions. If you’re a new grandmother choosing a nickname for your grandkids to call you, narrow down the list of possibilities by personalizing the options. Are there names related to your family’s background and heritage? Is there a name traditionally used for grandparents in the family? Alternatively, pick a name that you just feel is a good fit for your personality!
- If you’re choosing a name on behalf of your grandmother, you can still consider the same factors. For example, if a special nickname for grandmothers runs in the family, you could use that—or put a unique spin on it.
It’s pretty common for the grandma herself to pick a nickname for the grandkids to use—so if you’re in that position, take time to explore the options! For example, if the classic “grandma” makes you feel older than your years, you could go with something more playful and sassy. Once you pick something you like, let everyone else know!
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If you’re not the grandmother, take her wishes into account. It’s also fine for you to pick a name on behalf of the grandmother, especially if she’s open to suggestions! Get an idea of the type of name she likes (or doesn’t like) and go from there. And, if you’re figuring out names for multiple sets of grandparents (or step-grandparents), you can brainstorm pairs of names for each couple, too.
- For example, you might pick “Mammy” and “Poppy” for one pair of grandparents and “Granna” and “Gramps” for another.
After all, young kids will probably pronounce whatever nickname you choose a little differently, at least for the first few years of life. That’s why simple is better—but it’s ultimately not that big a deal. After all, kids can learn to pronounce any name in time! So, pick something you genuinely want to be called (or something grandma actually likes).