100+ Grandparent Names: Classic, Trendy, Southern & More

Looking for grandparent names? Here are 100+ options in one place, grouped so you can skim straight to your vibe: the classics (Grandma, Nana, Papa), the trendy young-grandma set (Gigi, Mimi, Coco), southern favorites (Meemaw, Big Daddy), heritage names from Italian to Yiddish to Hawaiian, and the punny ones for grandpas who think they’re hilarious (Grandude, we see you). Plus the real answer to how families actually choose — because this decision causes more group-chat drama than the baby name itself!

Classic grandparent names

The time-honored ones that need no explanation.

For grandmothers: Grandma, Grandmother, Granny, Gran, Grammy, Gram, Nana, Nan, Nanny, Nonna (technically Italian, fully mainstream now)

For grandfathers: Grandpa, Grandfather, Granddad, Grandad, Gramps, Grampy, Papa, Pop, Pop-Pop, Poppy

Trendy grandparent names

For the grandmother who said, verbatim, “I am NOT a Grandma.” (We all know one. Some of us are raising a future one.)

For grandmothers: Gigi, Mimi, Coco, Kiki, Lolli, Birdie, Honey, Sunny, Goldie, CeCe, Bebe, Mama G, Glamma, Mémé (French flair, no passport required)

For grandfathers: Pops, G-Pa, Big G, Ace, Chief, Buddy, Duke, Cap, Skipper, Bear

Southern grandparent names

Sweet tea energy, every one of them.

For grandmothers: Meemaw, Mamaw, Maw Maw, Mawmaw, Memaw, Mee-Mee, Mama Sue (insert any name), Miss Honey, Sugar, Big Mama

For grandfathers: Papaw, Pawpaw, Paw Paw, Peepaw, Big Daddy, Papa Joe (insert any name), Pappy, Dandy

Grandparent names by heritage

Honoring where your family comes from is the most meaningful shortcut through this whole decision.

Italian

Grandmother: Nonna, Nonnina · Grandfather: Nonno, Nonnino

Spanish

Grandmother: Abuela, Abuelita, Lita, Lela · Grandfather: Abuelo, Abuelito, Lito, Tito

Greek

Grandmother: Yiayia (also spelled Yaya) · Grandfather: Pappous, Papou

Yiddish

Grandmother: Bubbe, Bubbie, Bubby · Grandfather: Zayde, Zaydie, Zeide

French

Grandmother: Grand-mère, Mémé, Mamie · Grandfather: Grand-père, Pépé, Papi

German

Grandmother: Oma, Omi · Grandfather: Opa, Opi

Irish

Grandmother: Móraí (pronounced MOR-ee), Nana · Grandfather: Daideó (DADJ-yoh), Seanathair

Polish

Grandmother: Babcia, Busia · Grandfather: Dziadek, Dziadzio (JAH-joo)

Portuguese

Grandmother: Avó, Vovó · Grandfather: Avô, Vovô

Hawaiian

Grandmother: Tutu (used for both, most often grandmothers), Kuku Wahine · Grandfather: Kuku Kane

Japanese

Grandmother: Obaachan, Baba · Grandfather: Ojiichan, Jiji

Korean

Grandmother: Halmoni · Grandfather: Harabeoji

Chinese

Grandmother: Nai Nai (paternal), Po Po (maternal) · Grandfather: Ye Ye (paternal), Gong Gong (maternal)

Filipino

Grandmother: Lola · Grandfather: Lolo

Hindi

Grandmother: Dadi (paternal), Nani (maternal) · Grandfather: Dada (paternal), Nana (maternal)

Swedish

Grandmother: Mormor (maternal), Farmor (paternal) · Grandfather: Morfar (maternal), Farfar (paternal) — the tidiest system in the world, honestly

Punny and playful grandparent names

For the grandparent whose entire personality is Being a Hoot.

For grandmothers: Grandmarvelous, Glam-ma, Grammy Award, Nana Banana, Grand Duchess, Queen Bee, Fancy

For grandfathers: Grandude, Grumpa (affectionately!), G-Dawg, Grandpa-razzi, Sir, The Big Cheese, Grand-Poobah, Popsicle

How families actually choose a grandparent name

Here’s how this really goes down, in rough order of frequency:

The baby decides. The number-one path: a toddler garbles “Grandma” into “Gaga” or “Mimi” and it sticks forever. Half the Meemaws and Gigis of the world were named by an eighteen-month-old, and those names are undefeated because nobody can argue with a baby.
Heritage settles it. If there’s a Nonna or a Halmoni in the family line, the name often passes down like an heirloom — and it doubles as a little daily language lesson.
Grandparents pick their own. Totally allowed and increasingly the norm. Pro tip for parents: let them. You get veto power only for true disasters.
Deconfliction. With two sets (or more!) of grandparents, each pair needs distinct names — this is where one grandma goes classic (Grandma) and the other goes trendy (Gigi), and peace reigns in the land.
The name-plus-name system. Grandma Kay, Papa Joe, Nana Banana Barbara. When all else fails, append the first name and everyone stays sorted.

One sweet way to make it official: announce the chosen names at the baby shower or sprinkle — a little “Promoted to Gigi!” moment mid-party is a guaranteed happy-cry. (Planning one? Start with the baby shower planning checklist or, for baby number two, the baby sprinkle guide.)

FAQ

What are the most popular grandparent names?

Grandma and Grandpa still lead, followed closely by Nana, Papa, Mimi, Gigi, Granny and Pop-Pop. Regionally, Meemaw and Papaw dominate the South, while Gigi is the runaway favorite among first-time grandmothers who feel too young for “Grandma.”

What can grandkids call grandma instead of grandma?

Nana, Mimi, Gigi, Lolli, Honey, Birdie, Coco, Grammy, Glamma — or a heritage name like Nonna, Abuela, Oma, Yiayia or Bubbe. The trendy set skews short, bright and two syllables.

Who picks the grandparent name?

Usually the grandparent proposes and the family ratifies — but the true final authority is the grandchild, whose first mispronunciation frequently overrules everyone’s careful planning. Build in flexibility and a sense of humor.

How do you announce a grandparent name?

A card at the shower is classic (“Promoted to Nana!”), and it pairs perfectly with a sweet message inside — steal one from our baby shower card wording ideas. Mugs, tote bags and onesies that say “My Gigi loves me” make the name official fast.

Whatever your family lands on — Nonna or G-Dawg or something a toddler invents next year — it’s going to become one of the most-loved words in your house. That’s the real magic of this list. Happy choosing!