Grandma
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-mah
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Free Family Roots Tool
Free Grandparent Name GeneratorGrandma & Grandpa Names by Style, Heritage & Language
Grandparents can be called anything that feels right to the family: a classic like Grandma or Grandpa, a nickname like Nana, Mimi, or Pop, or a heritage name like Nonna, Oma, Lola, or Bubbe. This free tool helps you browse, compare, and shortlist more than 150 grandma and grandpa names.
Filter by style and by 26 languages, see pronunciations, meanings, and which words are only for the mother's or father's side, preview the name with yours, and print or share a “Meet Nana & Pop!” card. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you enter is uploaded.
150+ grandma and grandpa names26 languages with pronunciationMaternal and paternal termsToddler-friendliness hintPrintable announcement card
Step 1
Pick a role, style, and heritage
Only some languages, like Chinese, Hindi, Swedish, Turkish, Korean, and Vietnamese, use different words for each side.
156 names match
Step 2
Name ideas for you
- Yiayia γιαγιάGreek
- Grandmother Nickname idea
- Grand-père French
- Koroua Māori
- Pedarbozorg پدربزرگPersian
- Poppy Nickname idea
Matching pairs
Step 3
Try it with your name
Optional. Many families add a first or last name to tell two grandmas or two grandpas apart.
*Toddler hint: a rough heuristic, not a speech-development assessment. It favors short names, repeated syllables (like mama and dada), and the sounds most children say first (m, b, p, n, d, w, h), and counts r, l, s, th, and consonant clusters as harder. Hover a hint to see why.
Step 4
Browse all matching names (156)
Grandmother
Nickname idea
Say: GRAND-muh-ther
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Nana
Nickname idea
Say: NAN-uh or NAH-nah
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Granny
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-ee
classic · vintage · southern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Gran
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grammy
Nickname idea
Say: GRAM-ee
classic · cute · Likely harder for toddlers*
Gram
Nickname idea
Say: GRAM
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grams
Nickname idea
Say: GRAMZ
modern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Gramma
Nickname idea
Say: GRAM-mah
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grandmom
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-mom
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grandmama
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-mah-mah
vintage · southern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Nanny
Nickname idea
Say: NAN-ee
classic · vintage · Likely easier for toddlers*
Mimi
Nickname idea
Say: MEE-mee
cute · modern · Likely easier for toddlers*
GiGi
Nickname idea
Say: JEE-jee
cute · modern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Mema
Nickname idea
Say: MEE-mah
cute · southern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Mamaw
Nickname idea
Say: MAH-maw
southern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Memaw
Nickname idea
Say: MEE-maw
southern · funny · Likely easier for toddlers*
Big Mama
Nickname idea
Say: BIG MAH-mah
southern · funny · Moderate for toddlers*
Honey
Nickname idea
Say: HUN-ee
southern · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Gaga
Nickname idea
Say: GAH-gah
cute · funny · Likely easier for toddlers*
Glamma
Nickname idea
Say: GLAM-mah
funny · modern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Nonnie
Nickname idea
Say: NON-ee
cute · vintage · Likely easier for toddlers*
Birdie
Nickname idea
Say: BUR-dee
cute · vintage · modern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Coco
Nickname idea
Say: KOH-koh
cute · modern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Lolly
Nickname idea
Say: LOL-ee
cute · Likely harder for toddlers*
Dolly
Nickname idea
Say: DOL-ee
vintage · southern · Moderate for toddlers*
Momo
Nickname idea
Say: MOH-moh
cute · modern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Bunny
Nickname idea
Say: BUN-ee
cute · funny · Likely easier for toddlers*
Sunny
Nickname idea
Say: SUN-ee
modern · cute · Moderate for toddlers*
Queenie
Nickname idea
Say: KWEE-nee
funny · vintage · Moderate for toddlers*
Duchess
Nickname idea
Say: DUTCH-iss
funny · Likely harder for toddlers*
Mimsy
Nickname idea
Say: MIM-zee
cute · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Mama Bear
Nickname idea
Say: MAH-mah BAIR
cute · funny · Moderate for toddlers*
Grandpa
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-pah
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grandfather
Nickname idea
Say: GRAND-fah-ther
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grandad
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-dad
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Granddaddy
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-dad-ee
southern · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grandpappy
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-pap-ee
southern · vintage · funny · Likely harder for toddlers*
Gramps
Nickname idea
Say: GRAMPS
classic · funny · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grampa
Nickname idea
Say: GRAM-pah
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grandpop
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-pop
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Pop
Nickname idea
Say: POP
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Pops
Nickname idea
Say: POPS
classic · modern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Pop-Pop
Nickname idea
Say: POP-pop
cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Papa
Nickname idea
Say: PAH-pah
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Pa
Nickname idea
Say: PAH
vintage · classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Pappy
Nickname idea
Say: PAP-ee
southern · vintage · Likely easier for toddlers*
Poppy
Nickname idea
Say: POP-ee
cute · classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Papaw
Nickname idea
Say: PAW-paw
southern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Peepaw
Nickname idea
Say: PEE-paw
southern · funny · Likely easier for toddlers*
Big Daddy
Nickname idea
Say: BIG DAD-ee
southern · funny · Moderate for toddlers*
Papa Bear
Nickname idea
Say: PAH-pah BAIR
cute · funny · Moderate for toddlers*
Buddy
Nickname idea
Say: BUD-ee
modern · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Pip
Nickname idea
Say: PIP
cute · modern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Ace
Nickname idea
Say: AYS
modern · funny · Moderate for toddlers*
Chief
Nickname idea
Say: CHEEF
funny · Likely harder for toddlers*
Captain
Nickname idea
Say: KAP-tin
funny · Moderate for toddlers*
Skip
Nickname idea
Say: SKIP
vintage · modern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Duke
Nickname idea
Say: DOOK
funny · vintage · Moderate for toddlers*
Boss
Nickname idea
Say: BAWS
funny · Moderate for toddlers*
G-Pa
Nickname idea
Say: JEE-pah
modern · funny · Moderate for toddlers*
Granddad
Nickname idea
Say: GRAN-dad
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Gramp
Nickname idea
Say: GRAMP
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Poppa
Nickname idea
Say: POP-ah
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Pawpaw
Nickname idea
Say: PAW-paw
southern · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Sarge
Nickname idea
Say: SARJ
funny · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grandy
Nickname idea · Any grandparent
Say: GRAN-dee
cute · modern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Lovey
Nickname idea · Any grandparent
Say: LUV-ee
cute · southern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grandie
Nickname idea · Any grandparent
Say: GRAN-dee
modern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Gee
Nickname idea · Any grandparent
Say: JEE
modern · Moderate for toddlers*
Abuela
Spanish
Say: ah-BWAY-lah
Means: grandmother
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Abuelo
Spanish
Say: ah-BWAY-loh
Means: grandfather
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Abuelita
Spanish
Say: ah-bway-LEE-tah
Means: granny (diminutive of abuela)
cute · Likely harder for toddlers*
Abuelito
Spanish
Say: ah-bway-LEE-toh
Means: grandpa (diminutive of abuelo)
cute · Likely harder for toddlers*
Nonna
Italian
Say: NOHN-nah
Means: grandmother
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Nonno
Italian
Say: NOHN-noh
Means: grandfather
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Oma
German
Say: OH-mah
Means: grandma (informal)
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Opa
German
Say: OH-pah
Means: grandpa (informal)
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Oma
Dutch
Say: OH-mah
Means: grandma (informal)
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Opa
Dutch
Say: OH-pah
Means: grandpa (informal)
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Grootmoeder
Dutch
Say: GROHT-moo-der
Means: grandmother (literally great mother)
vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grootvader
Dutch
Say: GROHT-vah-der
Means: grandfather (literally great father)
vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grand-mère
French
Say: grahn-MAIR
Means: grandmother
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Grand-père
French
Say: grahn-PAIR
Means: grandfather
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Mamie
French
Say: mah-MEE
Means: granny (informal)
cute · modern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Papi
French
Say: pah-PEE
Means: grandpa (informal; also spelled papy)
cute · modern · Likely easier for toddlers*
Mémé
French
Say: may-MAY
Means: granny (informal)
cute · vintage · Likely easier for toddlers*
Pépé
French
Say: pay-PAY
Means: grandpa (informal)
cute · vintage · Likely easier for toddlers*
Bubbe באָבע
Yiddish
Say: BUH-bee
Means: grandmother
classic · vintage · Likely easier for toddlers*
Zayde זיידע
Yiddish
Say: ZAY-dee
Means: grandfather
classic · vintage · Moderate for toddlers*
Savta סבתא
Hebrew
Say: SAHV-tah
Means: grandmother
classic · modern · Likely harder for toddlers*
Saba סבא
Hebrew
Say: SAH-bah
Means: grandfather
classic · modern · Moderate for toddlers*
Teta تيتا
Arabic
Say: TEH-tah
Means: grandma (informal, Levantine and Egyptian)
cute · classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Sitto ستّو
Arabic
Say: SIT-toh
Means: grandma (informal, Levantine)
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Jiddo جدّو
Arabic
Say: JID-doh
Means: grandpa (informal, Levantine)
classic · cute · Moderate for toddlers*
Jadda جدة
Arabic
Say: JAD-dah
Means: grandmother (formal)
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Jadd جد
Arabic
Say: JADD
Means: grandfather (formal)
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Yiayia γιαγιά
Greek
Say: yah-YAH
Means: grandmother
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Pappou παππού
Greek
Say: pah-POO
Means: grandfather (form used when addressing him; παππούς)
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Lola
Filipino
Say: LOH-lah
Means: grandmother
classic · cute · Likely harder for toddlers*
Lolo
Filipino
Say: LOH-loh
Means: grandfather
classic · cute · Moderate for toddlers*
Halmeoni 할머니
Korean
Say: HAHL-muh-nee
Means: grandmother
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Harabeoji 할아버지
Korean
Say: HAH-rah-buh-jee
Means: grandfather
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Oe-halmeoni 외할머니
Korean · Mother's side
Say: WEH-hahl-muh-nee
Means: maternal grandmother (oe = outside)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Oe-harabeoji 외할아버지
Korean · Mother's side
Say: WEH-hah-rah-buh-jee
Means: maternal grandfather (oe = outside)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Obaachan おばあちゃん
Japanese
Say: oh-BAH-chahn
Means: grandma (affectionate)
classic · cute · Likely harder for toddlers*
Ojiichan おじいちゃん
Japanese
Say: oh-JEE-chahn
Means: grandpa (affectionate)
classic · cute · Likely harder for toddlers*
Sobo 祖母
Japanese
Say: SOH-boh
Means: grandmother (formal)
vintage · Moderate for toddlers*
Sofu 祖父
Japanese
Say: SOH-foo
Means: grandfather (formal)
vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Nainai 奶奶
Chinese (Mandarin) · Father's side
Say: NYE-nye (nǎinai)
Means: father's mother
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Yeye 爷爷
Chinese (Mandarin) · Father's side
Say: YEH-yeh (yéye)
Means: father's father
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Laolao 姥姥
Chinese (Mandarin) · Mother's side
Say: LAOW-laow (lǎolao)
Means: mother's mother (mainly northern China)
classic · cute · Moderate for toddlers*
Laoye 姥爷
Chinese (Mandarin) · Mother's side
Say: LAOW-yeh (lǎoye)
Means: mother's father (mainly northern China)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Waipo 外婆
Chinese (Mandarin) · Mother's side
Say: wye-PWAW (wàipó)
Means: mother's mother (literally outside grandmother)
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Waigong 外公
Chinese (Mandarin) · Mother's side
Say: wye-GONG (wàigōng)
Means: mother's father (literally outside grandfather)
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Dadi दादी
Hindi · Father's side
Say: DAH-dee
Means: father's mother
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Dada दादा
Hindi · Father's side
Say: DAH-dah
Means: father's father
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Nani नानी
Hindi · Mother's side
Say: NAH-nee
Means: mother's mother
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Nana नाना
Hindi · Mother's side
Say: NAH-nah
Means: mother's father
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Tūtū
Hawaiian · Any grandparent
Say: TOO-too
Means: grandparent (grandma or grandpa)
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Tūtū Wahine
Hawaiian
Say: TOO-too wah-HEE-neh
Means: grandmother (wahine = woman)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Tūtū Kāne
Hawaiian
Say: TOO-too KAH-neh
Means: grandfather (kāne = man)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Kupuna
Hawaiian · Any grandparent
Say: koo-POO-nah
Means: grandparent, elder, ancestor
classic · vintage · Moderate for toddlers*
Mamó
Irish
Say: MAH-moh
Means: granny (informal)
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Daideo
Irish
Say: DAD-yoh
Means: grandad (informal)
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Seanmháthair
Irish
Say: SHAN-wah-her
Means: grandmother (literally old mother)
vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Seanathair
Irish
Say: SHAN-ah-her
Means: grandfather (literally old father)
vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Babcia
Polish
Say: BAHB-chah
Means: grandma
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Dziadek
Polish
Say: JAH-dek
Means: grandfather
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Babushka бабушка
Russian
Say: BAH-boosh-kah
Means: grandmother
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Dedushka дедушка
Russian
Say: DYEH-doosh-kah
Means: grandfather
classic · vintage · Likely harder for toddlers*
Avó
Portuguese
Say: ah-VAW
Means: grandmother
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Avô
Portuguese
Say: ah-VOH
Means: grandfather
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Vovó
Portuguese
Say: vo-VAW
Means: granny (informal)
cute · Moderate for toddlers*
Vovô
Portuguese
Say: vo-VOH
Means: grandpa (informal)
cute · Moderate for toddlers*
Mormor
Swedish · Mother's side
Say: MOOR-moor
Means: mother's mother
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Farmor
Swedish · Father's side
Say: FAR-moor
Means: father's mother
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Morfar
Swedish · Mother's side
Say: MOOR-far
Means: mother's father
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Farfar
Swedish · Father's side
Say: FAR-far
Means: father's father
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Bà
Vietnamese
Say: BAH (falling tone)
Means: grandmother
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Ông
Vietnamese
Say: OHNG
Means: grandfather
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Bà Nội
Vietnamese · Father's side
Say: bah NOY
Means: father's mother (nội = inside)
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Ông Nội
Vietnamese · Father's side
Say: ohng NOY
Means: father's father (nội = inside)
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Bà Ngoại
Vietnamese · Mother's side
Say: bah NGWAI
Means: mother's mother (ngoại = outside)
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Ông Ngoại
Vietnamese · Mother's side
Say: ohng NGWAI
Means: mother's father (ngoại = outside)
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Babaanne
Turkish · Father's side
Say: bah-BAH-ahn-neh
Means: father's mother (literally father-mother)
classic · Moderate for toddlers*
Anneanne
Turkish · Mother's side
Say: AHN-neh-ahn-neh
Means: mother's mother (literally mother-mother)
classic · Likely easier for toddlers*
Dede
Turkish
Say: deh-DEH
Means: grandfather
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Bibi
Swahili
Say: BEE-bee
Means: grandmother
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Babu
Swahili
Say: BAH-boo
Means: grandfather
classic · cute · Likely easier for toddlers*
Madarbozorg مادربزرگ
Persian
Say: mah-dar-boh-ZORG
Means: grandmother (literally big mother)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Pedarbozorg پدربزرگ
Persian
Say: peh-dar-boh-ZORG
Means: grandfather (literally big father)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Kuia
Māori
Say: KOO-ee-ah
Means: grandmother, elderly woman
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Koroua
Māori
Say: KOH-roh-oo-ah
Means: grandfather, elderly man
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Tinā Matua
Samoan
Say: tee-NAH mah-TOO-ah
Means: grandmother (literally elder mother)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Tamā Matua
Samoan
Say: tah-MAH mah-TOO-ah
Means: grandfather (literally elder father)
classic · Likely harder for toddlers*
Step 5
Your shortlist (0)
Tap ♡ Save on any name to add it here. Your shortlist stays in this browser.
How to choose a grandparent name
Step 1
Pick a role and style
Choose grandma, grandpa, or both, and any styles you like: classic, cute, modern, funny, Southern, or vintage.
Step 2
Filter by heritage
Pick a language or heritage to see its names with pronunciation and meaning, and set mother's or father's side for languages that use different words.
Step 3
Get suggestions
Press Suggest names for a fresh set of ideas and matching grandma and grandpa pairs.
Step 4
Personalize
Add your first or last name to preview combinations like Nana Jane or Grandpa Smith, and check the toddler-friendliness hint.
Step 5
Shortlist, print, or share
Save favorites to your shortlist, copy it, print an announcement card, or share a link with your family.
Grandmother and grandfather names in other languages
Pronunciations are simple English respellings with the stressed syllable in capitals; they are approximate. Where a language uses different words for the mother's and father's parents, the side is shown.
Arabic
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetaتيتا | Grandmother | TEH-tah | grandma (informal, Levantine and Egyptian) |
| Sittoستّو | Grandmother | SIT-toh | grandma (informal, Levantine) |
| Jiddoجدّو | Grandfather | JID-doh | grandpa (informal, Levantine) |
| Jaddaجدة | Grandmother | JAD-dah | grandmother (formal) |
| Jaddجد | Grandfather | JADD | grandfather (formal) |
Chinese (Mandarin)
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nainai奶奶 | GrandmotherFather's side | NYE-nye (nǎinai) | father's mother |
| Yeye爷爷 | GrandfatherFather's side | YEH-yeh (yéye) | father's father |
| Laolao姥姥 | GrandmotherMother's side | LAOW-laow (lǎolao) | mother's mother (mainly northern China) |
| Laoye姥爷 | GrandfatherMother's side | LAOW-yeh (lǎoye) | mother's father (mainly northern China) |
| Waipo外婆 | GrandmotherMother's side | wye-PWAW (wàipó) | mother's mother (literally outside grandmother) |
| Waigong外公 | GrandfatherMother's side | wye-GONG (wàigōng) | mother's father (literally outside grandfather) |
Dutch
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oma | Grandmother | OH-mah | grandma (informal) |
| Opa | Grandfather | OH-pah | grandpa (informal) |
| Grootmoeder | Grandmother | GROHT-moo-der | grandmother (literally great mother) |
| Grootvader | Grandfather | GROHT-vah-der | grandfather (literally great father) |
Filipino
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lola | Grandmother | LOH-lah | grandmother |
| Lolo | Grandfather | LOH-loh | grandfather |
French
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand-mère | Grandmother | grahn-MAIR | grandmother |
| Grand-père | Grandfather | grahn-PAIR | grandfather |
| Mamie | Grandmother | mah-MEE | granny (informal) |
| Papi | Grandfather | pah-PEE | grandpa (informal; also spelled papy) |
| Mémé | Grandmother | may-MAY | granny (informal) |
| Pépé | Grandfather | pay-PAY | grandpa (informal) |
German
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oma | Grandmother | OH-mah | grandma (informal) |
| Opa | Grandfather | OH-pah | grandpa (informal) |
Greek
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yiayiaγιαγιά | Grandmother | yah-YAH | grandmother |
| Pappouπαππού | Grandfather | pah-POO | grandfather (form used when addressing him; παππούς) |
Hawaiian
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tūtū | Either | TOO-too | grandparent (grandma or grandpa) |
| Tūtū Wahine | Grandmother | TOO-too wah-HEE-neh | grandmother (wahine = woman) |
| Tūtū Kāne | Grandfather | TOO-too KAH-neh | grandfather (kāne = man) |
| Kupuna | Either | koo-POO-nah | grandparent, elder, ancestor |
Hebrew
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savtaסבתא | Grandmother | SAHV-tah | grandmother |
| Sabaסבא | Grandfather | SAH-bah | grandfather |
Hindi
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dadiदादी | GrandmotherFather's side | DAH-dee | father's mother |
| Dadaदादा | GrandfatherFather's side | DAH-dah | father's father |
| Naniनानी | GrandmotherMother's side | NAH-nee | mother's mother |
| Nanaनाना | GrandfatherMother's side | NAH-nah | mother's father |
Irish
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamó | Grandmother | MAH-moh | granny (informal) |
| Daideo | Grandfather | DAD-yoh | grandad (informal) |
| Seanmháthair | Grandmother | SHAN-wah-her | grandmother (literally old mother) |
| Seanathair | Grandfather | SHAN-ah-her | grandfather (literally old father) |
Italian
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonna | Grandmother | NOHN-nah | grandmother |
| Nonno | Grandfather | NOHN-noh | grandfather |
Japanese
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obaachanおばあちゃん | Grandmother | oh-BAH-chahn | grandma (affectionate) |
| Ojiichanおじいちゃん | Grandfather | oh-JEE-chahn | grandpa (affectionate) |
| Sobo祖母 | Grandmother | SOH-boh | grandmother (formal) |
| Sofu祖父 | Grandfather | SOH-foo | grandfather (formal) |
Korean
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halmeoni할머니 | Grandmother | HAHL-muh-nee | grandmother |
| Harabeoji할아버지 | Grandfather | HAH-rah-buh-jee | grandfather |
| Oe-halmeoni외할머니 | GrandmotherMother's side | WEH-hahl-muh-nee | maternal grandmother (oe = outside) |
| Oe-harabeoji외할아버지 | GrandfatherMother's side | WEH-hah-rah-buh-jee | maternal grandfather (oe = outside) |
Māori
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuia | Grandmother | KOO-ee-ah | grandmother, elderly woman |
| Koroua | Grandfather | KOH-roh-oo-ah | grandfather, elderly man |
Persian
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madarbozorgمادربزرگ | Grandmother | mah-dar-boh-ZORG | grandmother (literally big mother) |
| Pedarbozorgپدربزرگ | Grandfather | peh-dar-boh-ZORG | grandfather (literally big father) |
Polish
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babcia | Grandmother | BAHB-chah | grandma |
| Dziadek | Grandfather | JAH-dek | grandfather |
Portuguese
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avó | Grandmother | ah-VAW | grandmother |
| Avô | Grandfather | ah-VOH | grandfather |
| Vovó | Grandmother | vo-VAW | granny (informal) |
| Vovô | Grandfather | vo-VOH | grandpa (informal) |
Russian
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babushkaбабушка | Grandmother | BAH-boosh-kah | grandmother |
| Dedushkaдедушка | Grandfather | DYEH-doosh-kah | grandfather |
Samoan
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinā Matua | Grandmother | tee-NAH mah-TOO-ah | grandmother (literally elder mother) |
| Tamā Matua | Grandfather | tah-MAH mah-TOO-ah | grandfather (literally elder father) |
Spanish
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abuela | Grandmother | ah-BWAY-lah | grandmother |
| Abuelo | Grandfather | ah-BWAY-loh | grandfather |
| Abuelita | Grandmother | ah-bway-LEE-tah | granny (diminutive of abuela) |
| Abuelito | Grandfather | ah-bway-LEE-toh | grandpa (diminutive of abuelo) |
Swahili
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bibi | Grandmother | BEE-bee | grandmother |
| Babu | Grandfather | BAH-boo | grandfather |
Swedish
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mormor | GrandmotherMother's side | MOOR-moor | mother's mother |
| Farmor | GrandmotherFather's side | FAR-moor | father's mother |
| Morfar | GrandfatherMother's side | MOOR-far | mother's father |
| Farfar | GrandfatherFather's side | FAR-far | father's father |
Turkish
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babaanne | GrandmotherFather's side | bah-BAH-ahn-neh | father's mother (literally father-mother) |
| Anneanne | GrandmotherMother's side | AHN-neh-ahn-neh | mother's mother (literally mother-mother) |
| Dede | Grandfather | deh-DEH | grandfather |
Vietnamese
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bà | Grandmother | BAH (falling tone) | grandmother |
| Ông | Grandfather | OHNG | grandfather |
| Bà Nội | GrandmotherFather's side | bah NOY | father's mother (nội = inside) |
| Ông Nội | GrandfatherFather's side | ohng NOY | father's father (nội = inside) |
| Bà Ngoại | GrandmotherMother's side | bah NGWAI | mother's mother (ngoại = outside) |
| Ông Ngoại | GrandfatherMother's side | ohng NGWAI | mother's father (ngoại = outside) |
Yiddish
| Name | For | Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bubbeבאָבע | Grandmother | BUH-bee | grandmother |
| Zaydeזיידע | Grandfather | ZAY-dee | grandfather |
Sources
Grandparent names FAQ
What are the most common names for grandma and grandpa?
In English, Grandma, Nana, Granny, Gran, and Grammy are long-standing names for a grandmother, and Grandpa, Papa, Grandad, and Gramps for a grandfather. Consumer surveys, such as ones from Chicco and Road Scholar, put Nana and Papa near the top, but there is no official national ranking.
What are some cute or unique grandma names?
Popular playful picks include Mimi, GiGi, Gaga, Birdie, Coco, and Honey. Heritage names are another way to stand out and honor family roots, like Yiayia (Greek), Lola (Filipino), Teta (Arabic), Oma (German or Dutch), or Tūtū (Hawaiian).
What do you call grandma in other languages?
Grandma is abuela in Spanish, nonna in Italian, Oma in German and Dutch, mamie or grand-mère in French, bubbe in Yiddish, savta in Hebrew, teta in Arabic, yiayia in Greek, lola in Filipino, halmeoni (할머니) in Korean, obaachan (おばあちゃん) in Japanese, babcia in Polish, babushka in Russian, avó or vovó in Portuguese, and bibi in Swahili.
Do some languages have different names for maternal and paternal grandparents?
Yes. In Mandarin, a father's parents are nǎinai and yéye, and a mother's parents are lǎolao or wàipó and lǎoye or wàigōng. Hindi uses dādī and dādā for the father's side and nānī and nānā for the mother's. Swedish has farmor and farfar (father's mother and father) and mormor and morfar (mother's mother and father). Turkish, Vietnamese, and Korean also mark the side.
When should grandparents pick their name?
Many grandparents choose before the baby arrives, often around the pregnancy announcement, so the whole family can use the name from day one. Talk it over with the parents and the other grandparents so two people do not pick the same name.
What if the grandchild invents a different name?
It happens often, and many families keep the toddler's version. Babies babble repeated sounds like mamamama and babababa, and most children say sounds like b, m, p, n, d, w, and h before r, l, s, and th, so a name like Grandma can easily become Gaga or Mama.
Related Family Roots tools
Relationship Chart
Work out how any two relatives are related, from grandparents to second cousins.
Family Tree Maker
Build and print a family tree with the new grandchild in it.
Surname Origin Lookup
Look up the origin and meaning of your family's last name.
Ancestry Name Origin Lookup
Explore where the names in your family tree come from.
Generation Timeline
See each generation of your family on one timeline.
Last Name Generator
Generate surnames by origin and style for stories and games.
Welcome the newest branch
Add your grandchildren to your family tree on Family Roots, and keep the story of how Nana and Pop got their names for the next generation.