Find the Perfect Grandmother Name

Learning that one is to become a grandmother is one of those watershed moments in a woman’s life. Usually, the grandmother-to-be begins to wonder almost immediately: What should I choose as my grandmother name?

Grandmothers today have more choices than ever when it comes to picking a name. They can stick with the traditional. They can choose a name that is associated with a particular ethnicity, nationality or other groups. They can choose a more hip grandmother name. They can even make up their own name.

It's good to get the approval of the parents-to-be, of course. And a grandchild can prove to be a dissenting voice, choosing a name that's quite different from the selected one. That's almost always all right with the grandmother!

Traditional Grandmother Names

Many families use the same traditional grandmother name over and over. Others introduce small variations. Such variations are useful, for example, to differentiate between a grandmother and a great-grandmother. For example, a family may modify Grannie to Gran-Gran or Grannie B to distinguish between the generations.

Most of these names have been around seemingly forever.

Gammy or Gamma or Gams
Gram or Grams
Gramma
Grammy or Grammie
Grandma or Grandmaw
Grandmama
Grandmom
Grandmother
Grannie or Granny
Gran or Gran-Gran
Marmee or Marmi
Mammy
Mema or MeMa or Mima

Names That Are Mostly Peculiar to Certain Groups

Some grandmother names are especially prevalent in a particular geographical region or ethnic group. For example, the American South is known for its unique names for grandmothers and others. Here are some names that are limited to certain groups or parts of the country.

Big Mom or Big Momma
Honey
Lovey
Lolly
Ma or Maw
MawMaw or Mawmaw
Memaw or MeeMaw or Mimaw
Mom-Mom
Queenie
Sassy
Sugar
Sweetie
Two-Mama (like a second mama)

Modern Grandmother Names

Some grandmothers feel that they don't fit the mold of the typical grandmother and seek more modern grandmother names. Sometimes these grandmothers are younger than average, sometimes they are hip grandmothers, but more often they simply want grandmother names that capture their personalities. Some try just going by their given name, but someone — a grandchild or other family member — usually ends up bestowing a nickname.

The adoption of a cool grandmother name is something of a trend among baby boomer grandparents. The following are just a few of the names they have adopted.

Abba
Amma
Babe
Bamba or Bama
BeBe
Bella or Belle
Birdy or Birdie
Bunny
CeeCee or Cici
Coco
Gabby or Gabbi
Gadgy or Gadgi
GiGi
GoGo or Gogi
G-Ma or G-Mom (also spelled Geema or Geemom)
Glamma or Glammy
Grancy or Grancie
Kitty
LaLa
MayMay
Mia
Mimi
Nina
Pippy or Pippa
Teenie or Teeny

Grandmother in Other Languages

Some grandmothers choose names favored by different nationalities or cultures, either because the names reflect their heritage or simply because they like the way they sound. You don't have to be Italian to be a Nonna!

In most countries, there are several different terms for grandmother. Some are formal, and some are informal. Some are used to refer to a grandmother, and some are used in terms of direct address. It can be very difficult to figure out which words are actually used by children as names for their grandmothers. In addition, many of these names appear in several variations and spellings, especially if they come from a language that uses a different alphabet. Consider this list as a starting point for doing more research.

When Children Have Multiple Grandparents

Many children today have more than one grandmother. Indeed, through stepfamily relationships, some have half a dozen. For grandchildren who have more one grandmother, some families choose to add the given name or the last name to the grandparent name, arriving at combinations such as Gramma Jean or Grandma Brown.

Grandparent names can spark family conflict, so it is worth spending some time thinking about your choice. You also might want to check out FAQs about grandparent names.

Changing Your Grandmother Name

Grandmothers should not become too attached to their chosen names. Grandchildren will change your life, and they just might change your carefully selected grandmother name. Most grandmothers, however, embrace with joy whatever name comes from the lips of their grandchildren.

Occasionally grandmothers themselves decide to change their names. That is perfectly acceptable, but if you have been known by a certain appellation for a while, be prepared for others to have some trouble making the switch.

More Resources

If you are still undecided about what grandmother name suits you, there's nothing wrong with waiting until after the baby is born and you actually are a grandmother. You'll learn more about your grandparenting style and perhaps find just the perfect name. Of course, if you wait long enough, your grandchild may pick out your nickname. Consulting books about grandparent names is another strategy to consider. You Can Call Me Hoppa is a great one to take a look at.

Do you know a grandfather who's in a similar quandary?