Story ideas
What are good names for a grandma or grandpa?
A grandparent names list sorted four ways: classic, by language, from a toddler's first sounds, and modern picks, plus how two families settle on one each.
The short answer
Good grandparent names fall into four groups: classic English names like Grandma, Nana, Grandpa and Pop; names from a family language like Abuela, Nonna, Oma or Lolo; names a toddler invents from first sounds; and newer picks like Gigi or G-Pa. Pick one that is easy to say, different from the other set of grandparents, and true to the family's history.
The most-used grandparent names are Grandma, Nana, Grandpa and Pop, followed by names from a family language such as Abuela, Nonna, Oma and Lolo. The right one is short enough for a toddler to say, different from what the other grandparents are called, and something the grandparent is happy to answer to for the next thirty years.
Key takeaways
- Start from four groups: classic, family language, toddler-made, and newer picks.
- Choose two syllables or fewer with sounds a young child already makes.
- When two grandparents want one name, add a place, a pet or a first name to split it.
- Let the name settle: many families keep the version the child invents.
Classic English names
| For grandmothers | For grandfathers |
|---|---|
| Grandma, Grandmother | Grandpa, Grandfather |
| Nana, Nan, Nanna | Pop, Pops, Pa |
| Granny, Gran | Gramps, Grandad |
| Grammy, Gram | Poppy, Pappy |
| Mamaw, Memaw | Papaw, Pawpaw |
Merriam-Webster dates "nana" in English print to 1899 and calls it "probably of baby-talk origin," which is a good reminder that many classic names began as a small child's attempt at a longer word.
Names by family language
If a grandparent grew up speaking another language, the word they called their own grandparents often feels most natural.
| Language or heritage | Grandmother | Grandfather |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Abuela, Abuelita, Lita | Abuelo, Abuelito, Lito |
| Italian | Nonna | Nonno |
| German or Dutch | Oma | Opa |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Lola | Lolo |
| Yiddish | Bubbe, Bubbie | Zayde, Zaidy |
| French | Grand-mère, Mémé, Mamie | Grand-père, Pépé, Papi |
| Greek | Yiayia | Pappou |
| Hawaiian | Tūtū | Tūtū kāne |
| Korean | Halmeoni | Harabeoji |
| Portuguese | Avó, Vovó | Avô, Vovô |
Merriam-Webster traces "abuela" through Spanish to the Latin avia, "grandmother," and lists 1836 as its first known use in English text. Spelling varies by region and family, so ask the grandparent how they wrote it for their own elders.
Names a toddler makes up
Some of the best grandparent names come from the child. The CDC's milestone list says most children by 15 months try one or two words besides "mama" or "dada," like "ba" for ball. Those early sounds are often a clipped first syllable, so a grandparent the family calls "Grandma Ruth" may become "Ru-Ru," and "Grandpa" can turn into "Bampa."
Sounds most children manage early: m, b, p, d, n, plus open vowels like "ah" and "ee." Names built from them stick easily:
- Mimi, Mema, Mamo
- Bebe, Baba, Bubba
- Papa, Pappy, Bop
- Dada-G, Deda
- Nonie, Nini, Nona
If a grandparent loves a name a child invented, use it in front of the child every day. If they would rather not be "Boo-Boo" forever, keep saying the chosen name warmly and let the child catch up.
Newer picks
- First letter names: Gigi, Cece, Jojo, G-Pa, Big J.
- Place names: Beach Grandma, Farm Papa, City Nana.
- Role names: Glamma, Grandude, Captain.
- First name plus title: Grandma Lin, Papa Dev.
These help when a family already has two or three people called "Grandma."
How two families settle on one name each
The most common naming clash is two grandmothers who both want to be Nana. Five ways families sort it out:
- Ask early. Raise names before the baby shower or the first visit, not on the day the grandchild arrives.
- Let each grandparent rank three choices. Overlaps are easier to see on paper.
- Split by language or place. Abuela and Grandma, or Lake Nana and Nana Pat.
- Add the first name. Grandpa Joe and Grandpa Mike works for years.
- Accept the child's version. If the toddler says "Gaga" for one and "Nana" for the other, the problem is often solved for you.
A text you can send: "We're making a list of what everyone wants to be called. Send us your top three and we'll make sure nobody doubles up."
Writing the name down
Once a name is chosen, use it everywhere: photo labels on the fridge, the contact name on the parent's phone during video calls, and the cover of any book that features the grandparent. Seeing the name with a face helps a young child match the two between visits.
Frequently asked questions
Can a grandparent choose their own name? Yes, and many do. Just know a toddler may adjust it.
Is it rude to use a different name from the other side of the family? No. Different names make it clearer for the child who is who.
What do step-grandparents go by? Whatever feels right to the adults involved: a first name, a title plus first name, or a family word. Ask rather than assign.
Related reading:
- Recording grandparent stories with kids
- What to say to kids about Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving traditions with kids
- A gift for grandkids who live far away
A grandparent's name can sit on the cover of a picture book. With our grandparent book, you write in what the child calls each grandparent and the things they do together, and you see a proof before anything prints. Pricing lists current costs.
Sources
- Nana, Merriam-Webster, accessed November 3, 2026
- Abuela, Merriam-Webster, accessed November 3, 2026
- Milestones by 15 Months, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed November 3, 2026
