Let's start with the most used nicknames for Grandma. 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.
Papa, the most common nickname in 36 states, took the top 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.
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.
Ireland (Gaelic)
While maimeó anddaideó are the words used to address a grandmother or grandfather, there are a few different words for grandparents in Irish. For example, there are máthair chríona, which translates to “wise mother,” and athair críonna which translates to “wise father.”
For British grandmothers the top five names in order of popularity at a national level are Nan (33%), Grandma (32%), Nana (24%), Nanny (22%) and Granny (14%). Only one-in-ten use the term Gran. The name Nan is by far the most popular for a grandmother in the English seaside cities of Liverpool (65%) and Brighton (51%).
Many French children call their grandmother by the elegant "Grand-mère," which can also be shortened to "Mémé."
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.
Nonna and Nonno
In Italy, grandma and grandpa are known as nonna and nonno.
Mimi is a feminine given name and a shorter form (hypocorism) of the given names Miriam, Emilia or Naomi.
Grandmother Fa (Mulan)
But family comes first for Mulan's grandma, who is always concerned for their safety and who doesn't hesitate to remember her own ancestors and pray to them for her family's good fortune.
Granny: Quintessentially grandmother-like, this is an old favorite; Granna is a nice slant. Lolli: For the whimsical grandma who is extra sweet, this contemporary grandmother name is just about the cutest. Memaw: Typically used by Southern US families, it's a charming and cozy grandma name to embrace.
A person with such a sexual preference is a gerontophile or gerontosexual.
The parents, the grandparents, or your child (once they're old enough to talk) can choose the grandma names and grandpa names.
In writing, Grandfather and Grandmother are most common, but very rare as a form of address. In speech, Grandpa and Grandma are commonly used in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The most common translations in dictionaries for grandparents are the literal translations of 'grandmother' and 'grandfather'. In French, these terms are, respectively: grand-mère and grand-père, or grand-maman and grand-papa. These terms are also commonly used in speech and writing.
Nana, most often used for girls as a a short form of Anna or Nancy, is an African name for boys meaning king or in some translations, "born on Tuesday." Isaac Hayes used the name for his son.
Some parents, anxiously awaiting the day when they become grandparents, are showering affection on their children's pets. They're known as grandpuppies. Denise Dellisanti considers herself the perfect grandma. Never mind the fact that she spoils her little one with trips to Pet Smart.
-Scottish: In Scottish Gaelic, the word for grandma is “Seanmhair,” which means good mother. But other commonly used Scottish grandmother names include “Nana,” “Nanna,” “Mhamó” and “Mamó.” -Spanish: In Spanish, grandmothers are known as “Abuela” or “Abuelita.”
In the Swedish language, the maternal grandparents are “mormor” for grandmother and “morfar” for grandfather. Paternal grandparents are “farmor” for grandmother, and “farfar,” for grandfather. If you want to get up close and personal with all things Swedish, no need to have a mormor of your own.
Children in France may call their grandmothers Gra-mere, Mémé, and Mamé. Quebec: Mémé and Mamie are most often used by French Canadians.