Nicknames for grandma, like Grams, Mimo, and Gram Grams, may stem from family tradition, a grandmother’s preference, or even from a grandchild’s inability to pronounce the word “grandmother” or “grandma.” No matter what you choose, one thing is clear: a grandmother by any other name still smells like fresh baked cookies. Find the perfect nickname to fit your grandparenting style.
Choosing Nicknames for Grandma
While the term “Grandma” is probably the most common nickname for grandmothers, some grandmothers predetermine the name their grandchildren will call them before the baby is born. For many, the term ‘Grandmother’ is too formal. The nickname they choose to use instead may be based on family customs, a desire to have a unique nickname, their ethnic background, or simply a sense of fun.
Traditional Grandma Nicknames
Some traditional nicknames used for grandmothers come as the result of children who couldn’t say “Grandma” or “Grandmother.” Others may be variations on spelling “Grandma,” such as Grammie or Grammy. Many of these mispronunciations and spellings are common nicknames for grandmothers today! This list of traditional nicknames reflects many such nicknames for grandma:
Ahma Bamaw (Bammaw) Bubbie Bumps DaMa Dammaw Eema (Eemaw) GadGee (or Gadgi, Gadgy) GaMa (Gamma) Gammi (Gammy, Gami) Ganna Ganni (Ganny, Gani) Gommie (Gommy) Gram Gramma Grammie (Grammy) Gram-mommie Grams Granana Grananny Grandmom Grandnan Granma Granmama Granmom Granna Granny Gumma Mamaw Mamey (Mammy) Mammaw Mams Marmi (Marme) MawMaw MayMay Maymee MeMa (Meema, MeMaw, Mimaw) MeMo (MeeMo, Mimo) MeeMee (MeMe, MiMi) Mima (Mimma) Mimmy Mimsy Minny MoMa (MoMaw, MoMo) Mum Mums Mumsy (Mumsey) Nama (Namma) Nan Nana (Nanna) Nanny Ne-ma Ninna Ninny (Ninni) Nona (Nonna) Noni (NoNee, Nonni, Nonny) Ona, Onna
Modern Nicknames for Grandma
If you’re a modern grandma, you deserve a contemporary nickname. Choose a grandma nickname that captures your values. These fun names have a distinctly current vibe, but they still sound warm and loving:
Ammy, Amma Gaga Giggy Gigi Glam Glammy Mimi Nina Yaya Zsa-Zsa
Cute Names for Grandma
Some grandma nicknames are just plain adorable, and they’re even cuter when spoken by little ones. If you want your grandma nickname to be the cutest, try one of these sweet options:
Bunny Cookie Daisy Honey-Pie Foxy Kitty Layla Love Sunshine Sweetie Yum-Yum
Funny Nicknames for Grandma
If you want a grandma nickname that will make everyone chuckle, you can take your inspiration from this list. Many of these names are unexpected and adorable at the same time, which makes them perfect for a grandma with a sense of humor:
Bubbles Cha-Cha Fluffy G-Ma, G-Mama Hammer Jiggy-Ma Mojo Moo-Ma Tutu Zip-Zip
Badass Grandma Names
A grandma is a mom who has already survived raising her own children and still has plenty of energy left to enjoy her grandkids. If you’re a tough, badass grandma, one of these nicknames could be perfect:
Athena Buffy Punky Moxie Sassy Vixen Xena
Grandma Nicknames From Around the World
Family background and heritage also play a role in what grandchildren call their grandmothers. Even in other languages, grandma nicknames replace the more formal word for grandmother. For example, families with a Japanese heritage may call their grandmother “O-baa-chan” instead of the more formal “O-baa-san.” In the same way, many Jewish families affectionately call their grandmothers “Bubbe,” while Italian grandmas are called “Nonna,” and Hispanic grannies are “Abuela.” Here are some words and nicknames for Grandma from around the world:
Abuela – Spanish for grandma Ayeeyo – grandma in Somali Babushka – Russian for grandma Bomma – grandma in Flemish Bubbe – Yiddish for grandma Mhamó – Irish name for grandma Nonna – Italian for grandma Oma – grandma in German Ouma – grandma in Afrikaans Senelė – Lithuanian for grandma Vovo – grandma in Portuguese
Unusual Nicknames for Grandma
If you feel too young to be called anything like “grandma” but still look forward to that close grandparent/grandchild relationship, an unusual grandma nickname might be right for you. Such names come about usually with a story of how the name evolved, or they are associated with an interest or hobby. For example, some grandmothers choose to be called by the name of a character from a favorite book, and some choose to go by grandma nicknames inspired by a place or food:
Airport Grandma Choo-Choo Granny Cupcake Grandma Grandma One Fish Gummy Bear Grandma Marathon Grandma Swimming Grandma
More Than a Name
Even with all this planning and searching for the right name, it is not unusual for these predetermined nicknames to change when the baby grows old enough to attempt to talk. In their sweet baby-talk efforts, many grandchildren have given grandmothers unique names that stick. What really matters is the time grandparents and grandchildren spend together, since this bond is incredibly important for everyone lucky enough to share it.
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