60 Nicknames for Grandparents That Are Super-Sweet

It's arguable that being a grandparent is even better than being a parent. All the connection, excitement and love you have with your own kids, plus years of wisdom and experience that make you able to revel in the fun to be had — rather than the details of how to raise a child. Less stress, more adventures, right?

One thing you might not find fun about having grandkids? Being called "grandma" or "grandpa" like seemingly everybody else. Luckily for you, those aren't legally binding names, and you can choose to be called whatever you like. Here are some ideas based on what other people call their grandparents, whether they're derived from the word in other languages or are simply fun nicknames.

Traditional names for grandma

• Abuelita (Spanish for "grandmother")
• Bubbie (Yiddish for "grandmother")
• Mimsy
• Nana (likely an Italian influence, from the Italian "nonna")
• Nanny
• Nonni (likely from a shortening of the Italian "nonnina," which means "little grandmother")

Traditional names for grandpa

• Bobo
• Pa
• Papa
• Pappoús (Greek for grandfather, pronounced "pa-poosch")
• PapPap
• Pop
• Poppa
• PopPop

Next: Fun nicknames for grandma and grandpa

A version of this article was originally published in November 2015.

Fun nicknames for grandma

• Bibi (Swahili for "grandmother")
• Gigi (Ukranian for "grandmother")
• Mamacita (Spanish for "little mama")
• Mamey
• Momo
• Momsy
• Nooni
• Ona

Fun nicknames for grandpa

• Baba (Ukrainian for "grandfather")
• Babu (Swahili for "grandfather")
• Bebop
• Grampsy
• Granpup
• Hee Haw
• UmPaPa

Next: International nicknames for grandma and grandpa

International nicknames for grandma

• Australia — Maayy and Momu
• Cajun — MawMaw
• Chinese — Zumu or Wai Po
• Dutch — Grootmoeder
• Eskimo — Aanaga
• French — Meme
• German — Oma
• Greek — Yaya
• Hawaiian — Kuku
• Irish — Maimeo
• Italian — Nonna
• Portuguese — Avó
• Russian — Babushka
• Spanish — Abuelita
• Yiddish — Bubby

International nicknames for grandpa

• Australia — Waayamaa or Garrimaay
• African — Babu
• Cajun — PawPaw
• Chinese — YeYe or Wai Gong
• Dutch — Grootvader
• Eskimo — Inupiaq
• French — Pepere
• German — Opa
• Greek — Pappous
• Hawaiian — Tutu Kane
• Irish — Daidoe
• Italian — Nonno
• Portuguese  — Vovô
• Russian — Dedushka
• Spanish — Abuelito
• Yiddish — Zayde