You’re going to be a Grandma. What will your Grandchildren call you? They may make up a nickname for Grandma or you can encourage them to call you something in particular. Here is the help you need to choose your perfect Grandma name.
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Choosing the Perfect Grandma Name
You’ve just found out you’re going to be a Grandma. It’s a Grand thing, being a Grandma.
I remember finding out I was becoming a Grandparent for the first time. What a whirlwind of feelings! Happy, excited, apprehensive, concerned…. and old.
But soon I was embracing the idea. Then it ran through my head. What will she call me?
This little girl would have 12 Grandparents. How would she keep us all straight? We needed to be sure she knew who we were! So I went about exploring Grandma names.
Selecting a Grandma name is an honor that comes with this coveted position.
There are cool Grandma names, unique Grandma names, family Grandma names, and many nicknames for Grandmas that you could choose.
What will your Grandchild call Grandma?
You may want to be the traditional “Grandma”. Or you may want to be called Mimi or Pookie.
Hopefully, you will have a little input into the decision about your Grandmother name.
There are, however, a few things to consider when picking your Grandma name.
Be who you are
No matter which name you choose, make sure it fits your personality.
Do you fall into a more traditional role? Are you silly and carefree?
Take a Grandmother name that fits you and your style.
Remember to BE FLEXIBLE!
You may not end up with the grandma name you choose.
There may be other Grandmothers who “call it” first.
There may be many Grandmas and a need to differentiate between each other.
Your Grandchildren may have other ideas and name you themselves.
Be open, accepting, and ready to embrace the role of Grandma no matter what they call you.
Family Traditions
There may be a tradition in your family.
If all Grandmas in your family go by Nana or Gram, it may be expected that you will, too.
If their traditional name fits you and you want to continue the line, that’s great.
But if you don’t, don’t feel guilty. Feel free to choose your own unique Grandma name.
Related:
Unique Gift Guides for Grandmas
Other Grandparents
If the other grandparents already have grandchildren who use the chosen name, you may have to concede to them.
You don’t want to confuse the Grandkids.
After all, there are many names for you to adopt.
Either add your first or last name, like I did (Grandma Kim), or go with an alternative Grandma name that’s not already taken.
Easily spoken by your Grandchildren
You may find that your Grandchild is unable to clearly say your chosen name.
Either they will temporarily morph it into something else then eventually be able to say your name, or you may become known by their variation.
Be ready for either of these outcomes.
Approved by your Grandchild’s parents
Be sure to ask for your child’s approval of the name for Grandma.
It may be easier to simply choose an alternative Grandma name than to cause conflict.
After all, your chances of a smooth relationship and maintaining the “Awesome Grandma” status may involve a little compromise.
There may be a valid reason for their opinion about your choice of Grandma name.
Find a name you both can agree upon.
Cultural, Geographical or Ethnic considerations
Some cultures see their specific names for grandparents as respectful and to call them anything else is disrespect.
You may want to choose your Grandma name based on your ethnicity, something commonly used in your region, or a Grandma name based on your country of origin.
Grandma Names:
Here are some names to consider when it’s YOUR turn to be a Grandma.
Traditional Grandma Names
- Grandmother
- Grandma
- Granny
- Grannie
- Nan
- Nana
- Nanny
- Gran
- Grana
- Gram
- Grams
- Gammie
- Gamma
- Gams
- Gramma
- Grandmama
- Memaw
- Meemaw
- MawMaw
- MaMa
- MayMay
Modern Grandmother Names
Maybe you are too young to think of yourself as someone’s Grandma.
Try out one of these more modern takes on the name Grandmother.
- Gigi
- G-maw
- Coco
- Bunny
- Glamma
- Teeny
- Bunny
- MiMi
- LaLa
- Lolly
- YaYa
- G
- Gaga
- Mia
- Abba
- Pippa
- Graham Cracker
International Names
Maybe you would prefer a name from another country or region?
Some Grandmothers choose names that reflect their heritage.
Or maybe they just like the way the name sounds.
- Hawaiian – Tutu
- German – Oma
- Spanish – Abuela or Abuelita
- Italian – Nonna
- French – Grand-mère or the less formal Mémé
- Russian: Babushka
- Greek – YaYa
Other cute nicknames for Grandma include:
- Cookie
- Bunny
- Peaches
- Granny Pie
- Honey
- Cha-cha
- Mia
- Nina
- Nanoo
- Nooni
- Twinkles
- Gabby
- Gogo
- Nima
- Muffy
- Toots
- Tootsie
Conclusion – What to Call Grandma: Choosing The Best Grandma Name
Did you find a name in this list that fits your personality and style?
Whether you choose a traditional name, a modern Grandma name, or some other cute Grandma name, be sure to keep an open mind and heart.
Your Grandchild may have other ideas about your name.
My Dad used to say, “I don’t care what you call me, just be sure to call me for dinner”.
I’m sure you’ll be proud and happy, as long as they call you, right?
Whatever you do, remember to
Keep Passing Down the Love,
Jojo
Saturday 30th of March 2024
Why would you say I have to ask my children what my grandkids can call me? That was my choice.
Friday 7th of July 2023
I have a couple friends whose grandparent names I love... Shawnah is called NawNaw Shamieka is called Shammy and the quiet reserved grandpa Kenny is called Grumpy
Kathy Hargrove
Monday 23rd of January 2023
The story of how the name of GrahamCracker got started. No one had ever heard of such but trust me, leave it to my family to pin me with something silly to fit my personality and it stuck. My oldest son was getting married in 2005 to a woman who had the cutest little 4 year old girl. I kept talking to her about she needed to be thinking about what to call me with a grandmother name and I gave her a few choices to consider. She would just smile her cute dimples at me and shrug. Well the wedding came and went and a name never came. We all took a vacation to Florida later in the summer and one morning we were out on the balcony of the condo we had rented and she had asked me shyly if she could have a bowl of cereal. I said you sure can and was on my way up out of my chair when I stopped and sat back down. “Wait a minute, you didn’t call me by my name, what are you going to call me little miss?” She gave me a big shy grin. My sister-in-law and husband was sitting out also with me and my sister-in-law called her over. She whispered in her ear. Taylor giggled, then whispered in my sister-in-law’s ear. She giggled some more they whispered back and forth over and over and giggled and giggled. Then Taylor came over to me and with a big smile from ear to ear and said GrahamCracker can I have a bowl of cereal? I about fell out of my chair with a hoot. “WOOHOO, I love it!” I grabbed Taylor and hugged her. “ You couldn’t have picked a better name for me since I’m so silly, I LOVE IT!” I asked her if she liked it and if she thought if it was for me and with a big smile she nodded her head real hard her long hair going everywhere. “Well for that I think that deserves a bowl of cereal.”. And that is how the name GrahamCracker for me got started. As people asked me what I was called and I told them I was told they never heard of that and it was cute. I realized as time went on I think I started a new grandma name. Later a girl I worked with told me that her friend said her mother was going to call herself GrahamCracker. I felt proud that I had a new name. Luckily my personality is such of a fun loving silliness in my heart and mind that I can get away with such a name. I was 48 when I was given that name. I’m 67 now and I still laugh when my grandbabies and family call me GrahamCracker. I love it. I don’t think any other name would fit with me. So that’s who I’m known as, GrahamCracker. Kathy Hargrove Glasgow, KY 1/23/2023
Tia Pyles
Tuesday 11th of August 2020
Egyptian-Arabic = Tetá
Christina
Friday 21st of February 2020
I chose yiayia which is the Greek word for grandma but my grandson ended up calling me ayia which is the Greek word for Saint. So apparently I’m a Saint. We are all waiting to see what his baby brother will end up calling me. Lol.
Cheri Westbrooks
Tuesday 16th of June 2020
I love it!