28. "We thought it was so cute and clever," says her mom. Southerners typically call their granddads this or Papaw, while grandmothers are referred to as Mamaw or MawMaw. When you're having a baby, there are lots of things to figure out including grandparent names, if your baby is the first grandchild (otherwise, they'll likely already have their names set!). Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Learning that one is to become a grandmother is one of those watershed moments in a persons life. Here are some funny nicknames that your kids can use to refer to their grandma: G-Madre G-Mom Insta Gram Glamma Big Mom Big Momma Granny Pie You could still end up being called Grumpy or Grandma Toots! Some people know right off the bat what they'd like to be called when they become a grandmother, while others aren't sure. Im from a Cuban family! The grandparents given name or last name can be added to the grandparents name in some families, especially those with multiple grandparents. Then, gently remind your child and grandchild about your choice until the new name sticks. Grand-pre: The French word for grandfather is sure to become familiar to your little ones as it is a frequently seen grandpa on the show Daniel Tiger (whose title character will be your babys future life coach!). As far as I know, it was their choice on what we called them. -Polish: The Polish name for grandmother is most often Babcia, but can also be Babunia., -Russian: The Russian word for grandmother is Babushka., -Scottish: In Scottish Gaelic, the word for grandma is Seanmhair, which means good mother. To help you sort things out and make at least this one parenting decision a little bit easier, here's a long list of grandparental terms of endearment: traditional, When she was old enough to explain her choice, she said it was because her grandmother belongs to her. Others came from books about grandparent names. Verywell Family's content is for informational and educational purposes only. But as At some point in your life, youll need to give a toast. is a cute choice. We still call them those same nicknames even as adults. Just remember, your grandchild may have their own special take on whatever grandmother name you end up selecting, further solidifying your sweet bond. 56. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or Names for When You Don't Want to Be "Grandpa", Alternative Nicknames for "Grandma" and "Grandpa", Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The name has interesting connotations, but Botchie is cool with that. 116. Henry (English, French origin), the name means "home ruler". We just called my other grandpa and grandma just that. Or they simply can't pronounce the chosen name and end up saying a variation that everybody loves. Of course, you can just go with Grandma but there are lots of other choices as well. ", Doing the naming yourself can be particularly helpful when you're dealing with difficult emotions or relationships. Orson Welles was an American actor, producer, writer, and director who is regarded as one of the best filmmakers to ever exist. 36. I call my maternal grandmother Wip, my maternal grandfather Wigng, my paternal grandfather Gnggng and my paternal grandmother Ninai. Learn more about how to find the perfect grandmother name, including lots of possible options to get you started on finding the right name for your grandchild to call you. Looking for a grandmother name that feels right for you? No matter what your child calls their grandparents, it's their relationship that's ultimately the most important. Yannie-Yannie: Granny Annie somehow got turned into Yannie-Yannie by a grandchild. You can spend all your time debating the merits of "Grandpa" versus "Poppy," only to have a grandkid that insists on calling you Gigi. -Afrikaans: In Afrikaans, one of South Africas official languages, the word for grandmother is Ouma. In the Zulu dialect its Ugogo or Gogo., -Arabic: There are many different dialects within Arabic, but a common Arabic name for grandmother is Jadati., -Cantonese Chinese: In Cantonese, grandmother names are classified as paternal or maternal. 99. "My mother-in-law didn't want to be called Grandma, so I made up the name LaLa for her," says one mom. Wayne (English origin), meaning "wagon driver". These alternative grandpa names have a little of everything: some are trendy and cool, some are traditional with a twist, some take inspiration from different languages and some are used by the best celebrity Papas out there. Ivor (Scottish origin), the name means "archer". 95. Theyre from Texas. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 84. If your baby has multiple sets of grandparents and step-grandparents, you may want to use matching names for each couple, which have a certain ring to them and can certainly make things less confusing. creative tips and more. Wendi P. Coming from a Latin culture (Mexico), I called my grandparents Abuelito and Abuelita, followed by their first names. Enjoy! 13. Many of the options below can be spelled several different ways, and some of them are simple enough for toddlers to say. Nils (Swedish origin), the name means "victory of the people". Fred (German origin), meaning "peaceful ruler". Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Kirk Douglas was a renowned child actor. This name is inspired by actor, Spencer Tracy. I opted for Mimi. Traditional Grandparent Names 1. The 10 Best Grandparent Gifts at Target Include Grooming Sets, Exercise Bikes & Durable Luggage, The Best (& Possibly Only) New Years Eve Celebration Ideas You & Your Teen Will Actually AgreeOn, So Long, Grandma Here Are the Non-Boring Grandparent Nicknames YouNeed, Madonnas Reportedly Met Her New Boyfriend Through One of Her Sons Low-KeyHobbies, Pregnant Peta Murgatroyd Nails Rihannas Super Bowl Dance With Her Son &Husband, Kim Kardashian Shares the Ups & Downs of Co-Sleeping With Kids in Hilarious Post with SonSaint, Chrissy Teigen Shared a Video of Baby Estis First Kiss & ItsHilarious, 5 Red Flags You Need To Discuss With Your Teen Before They StartDating, Nana (likely an Italian influence, from the Italian nonna), Nonni (likely from a shortening of the Italian nonnina, which means little grandmother), Pappos (Greek for grandfather, pronounced pa-poosch). Tobias (Greek origin), the name means "God is good". Choosing a grandmother name as you wait for babys arrival can be fun and fulfilling. Some try just going by their given name, but someone a grandchild or other family member usually ends up bestowing a nickname. Abuelo: Spanish for grandfather, it is the most popular grandpa name in Spanish-speaking countries and families around the world. However, if one speaks to you, you can certainly use it. 64. Even if you or your child's grandparents have chosen the perfect name, there's no guarantee it'll stick. We dig it! Susan Adcox is a writer covering grandparenting and author of Stories From My Grandparent: An Heirloom Journal for Your Grandchild. Percival (French origin), the name means "pierce the vale". So they paved the way. Herbert (German origin), the name means "bright army". And dont they deserve a nickname thats as original as they are? Introducing grandma and grandpa characters in stories is an extremely effective way to add nuances to your stories. You don't have to be Italian to be a Nonna! Ronald (Old Norse origin), this name means "advice". When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Omar (Arabic origin), the name means "flourishing". We are a very multicultural family. Babushka: Traditional Russian name for grandmother thats so charming, bringing to mind a sweet granny in an apron, waiting to feed and cuddle the kiddos. Grandude: For the dude that just happens to find himself in the role of grandfather, this could be the one. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. The formal name for paternal grandmothers is Zu mu, while Nai nai is also commonly used. 22. Many of these were contributed by my grandmother readers and grandfather readers. (Spoiler: Most grandparents will answer to anything their grandkids call them!). Because grandparents have been around the block more than once, which also means they can give fantastic advice even when its the unsolicited kind. Paw Paw: Typically paired with Memaw, its got back roads southern charm written all over it. 18. My daughter is learning to say grandma, so right now, she says Gamma or Gamgam, which is pretty adorable. Related story 1. Garfield (Old English origin), this habitational name means "triangular field". Avo (Portuguese origin), meaning "grandfather". Still other families will get creative and have a lot of fun with this process, basing the name on an association or hobby. 16. 106. Congratulations! 120. To help at least get you started we organized the grandmother names and grandfather names into traditional categories, then into lists that cover trendy monikers, They thought they were supposed to say Hi Booboo! and the name stuck. Grandwa: Like Grandpa or Grandma, but with a neutralization to make it work for everybody. 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WebWith 100+ ideas to choose from, you are sure to find a name to last a lifetime! Either way, what really matters is the loving bond that develops between grandparents and their grandchildren. It is just same as it has been for generations. It's good to get the approval of the parents-to-be, of course. It can be helpful to explain why the old name bothers you and what you like about the new one. Alec (Greek origin), the name means "defender of man". The stories you care about, delivered daily. Steve (Greek origin), the name means "honor", "crown" or "reward". Aiken (English origin), the name means "from the oak tree". -Greek: The Greek name for a grandmother is Yia-yia, but this too has several variations, including Yiayia, Yaya and Ya-ya., -Hawaiian: In Hawaii, the formal word for grandmother is Kuku Wahine or Tutu Wahine, but many shorten this to Tutu., -Hebrew: The most common Jewish grandmother names in Hebrew are Savta and Safta., -Indonesian: The Indonesian word for grandmother is Nenek, but another popular name is Oma., -Irish: In Gaelic, grandmother translates to Seanmhthair, which means old mother. My children have two grandmothers, Nan and Abuela, and one grandfather called Pap. A good name for a strong and revered grandpa character. 129. Whether it's 1930s names, 1940s names, or names of other vintage celebrities, our list of cool names for grandfather won't disappoint you. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. My son calls his grandma Little G, his grandpa Big G and his great grandma Ting G. I have no idea why he started that, but they love it. You can reach out to them to brainstorm, which might illicit options you hadn't thought ofbut truly love. "My daughter decided to start calling her grandfather Pappy instead of Grandpap and he loves it!" Download The AppDaily pregnancy & newborn updates with our FREE app. My grandmother has adopted my teenage cousin who calls her mom. Im not sure why we didnt have nicknames. Glammy: The glamorous grandma will love this idea! "You Can Call Me Hoppa" is a great one to take a look at. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. Added charges will apply for shipping to and from Alaska and Hawaii. Occasionally, grandmothers themselves decide to change their names. By Susan Adcox King David is a very important figure in the Hebrew Bible. Zeni: A grandmother whose middle name is Inez decided to reverse it to create her own unique grandmother name. GrahamCracker: This is another sweet grandmother name, sometimes spelled GramCracker and sometimes used as a pet name for a grandmother who is usually called Gram. Every language has its own word for Grandpa these don't even begin to cover it, since many of the languages listed below also use different terms depending on formality or whether it's a maternal/paternal relationship. I actually grew up calling my dads mom Abuelita OK. LOL Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Like when your friend worked really hard and got that awesome job ma New Years resolutions. To some, those words are filled with pure possibilityan invitation to start anew, comple New Years resolutions are pretty lonely deals. A good grandpa name. 15 Babcia A traditional Polish Toot: A grandfather who wanted to honor a friend from Hawaii chose the name Tutu Kane, but the grandchildren soon shortened it to Tutu and then to Toot. You can even make your own little variations to these names to make it sound unique and personal. Alicia P. I had two sets of living grandparents when I was born. They wanted me to say Gramps, but it came out Gunts and stuck. They are from Ecuador and only speak Spanish, so we call them by the Spanish names. Are there any family titles that are gender free? Jama: Suggested for a super-young grandmother, this grandmother name is just jamming! Reader's Digest. My sister was the firstborn, so she got to name them. Gramps: A fun American grandfather name thats short and sweet. Rex (Latin origin), the name means "King". Grandmother names in other languages. Elmer (German, English origin), the name means "famous" or "noble". Both babies call me Mimi and my hubby is PapPap or Pop. Granny. Consulting books about grandparent names is another strategy to consider. This simple but powerful grandpa name pairs well with the nickname Gigi. Some spell it Shuggy or Shug. Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. 90. 109. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. This name is inspired by the Hollywood actor and producer, Burton Stephen Lancaster. 8. Morfar (Swedish origin), meaning "grandfather". A persons life paw: typically paired with Memaw, its got back roads southern charm written all over.... Man '' name bothers you and what you like about the new one alicia P. I had sets. 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