The most common pairings are Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Papa, and their variations. A few alternatives for Grandma include Grammy, Gamma, G-Ma, Granny, and Nanna. Grandfather may be shortened to Grampa, Gramps, G-Pa, Poppy or Pops.
Traditionalists tend to call their grandparents by the same name that has ran in the family for generations. The most common traditional names for grandparents include gran, granny, grandma, grandad and grandpa.
We all know Nana and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa, Gramms and Gramps, and so on, but there are cuter still! In Louisiana, grandparents are Mawmaw & Pawpaw respectively. And Australia is a strong contender too, with Nanna for grandmother, and for grandfather, Pop.
Most Common Grandma Nicknames
Nana is the most common nickname for a Grandma in thirty-two states. But if someone doesn't call their grandmother Nana, odds are they do call her Grammy or Gram, as these are relatively popular alternatives to Grandma, as well.
'Old Geezer' is Australian slang for an old man... and 'Old Geezers' are easy to spot.
Southerners are more likely to use Papaw or Pawpaw and those in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware tend to go for Pop or Pop Pop. Other favorites include Abuelo or Abuelito, Gramps, Grampy, Poppy, and Grandad.
Nanna, nanny and nan for a grandmother are very common but do not denote high social status. We also use Pop for a grandad as do the Australians and New Zealanders. Here Grandma and Granddad are fairly class neutral.
Pop/Pop-Pop. Pawpaw. Granddad. Papaw. Grampy.
You can call her by cute names such as Big mom, Peaches, Lolly, or go for hippie names Hopie or Mumssy. Fairy mother, Granny Pie, or Yo Grandma can be other fun ways to address your sweet and caring grandma. Nicknames, whether traditional or unusual, are often remembered for years.
On this page you'll find 7 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to grandma, such as: ancestor, granny, matriarch, dowager, gram, and maternal forebear.
There are some more traditional, Grammy & Papa, Gramma Al & Grampa Joe, Mema & Papaw, or, there are the non-traditional, because the grandma doesn't want to admit they are a grandparent like Cece, Dede, Meme, TeTe, etc.
Another popular subset of unique names are those that are derived from the (most often) grandmother's first name. So Gabby McCree is Gigi. “It's an abbreviation for 'Grandma Gabby' and also my initials growing up,” she says.
“Grand” relationships
Your grandaunt is your grandparent's sister, and you are her grandniece or grandnephew. Many call their grandaunt or granduncle their “great” aunt or “great” uncle. The word varies by family and region.
Some of the names cited for grandmothers include Boo, Mimi and Nanan. For grandfathers such terms of endearment include Pa, Papa and Captain. People living in Cardiff and Plymouth are more likely to use a unique name for their grandfather and those in Nottingham, London and Leicester likewise for their grandmother.
My most important tie to the culture and history of Appalachia was family, especially my grandparents, whom we called Mamaw and Papaw—normal hillbilly grandparent names, in case they are new to you.
Grandfather: tipuna matua/tupuna matua, koroua, kauheke, koroheke, koro, koko, karanipā, koeke, korokoroua, pōua. Grandmother: tipuna wahine/tupuna wahine, kuia, karanimā/karanimāmā, perekōu, tāua, ruruhi, ruahine, kui, kuikuia, ngoingoi.
Other than that, the most common Australian slang term for dad is “ol' man”.
defecate: He went into the bushes to have a shag.
-Irish: In Gaelic, grandfather is “Seanathair,” which means “old father,” but other popular Irish grandfather names are “Daideó” and “Athair Críonna.” Most English-speaking children call their grandfathers “Grandad” or “Granda.”
Numerous other variants exist, such as Gramp, Gramps, Grampa, Grandpap, Granda, Grampy, Granddad, Granddaddy, Grandpappy, Pop(s), Pap, Papa, Pappy, and Pawpaw for grandfather; Grandmom, Grandmama, Grama, Granny, Gran, Nanny, Nan(a), Mammaw, Meemaw and Grammy for grandmother. Gogo can be used for either, etc.
Mimi is a feminine given name and a shorter form (hypocorism) of the given names Miriam, Emilia or Naomi.