All Kinds of Grandma Names for Your Golden Girl: She’ll Love Them All

Sassy Grandma Middle Fingers UpIn my family, to give our treasured third and fourth generation their individuality, we have three different grandma names:

  • Good ol’ Grandma herself – first named so she nabbed one of the classic, traditional options.
  • Oumie, a variant of the South African “Ouma.”
  • GG, or Gee-Gee – far easier for the great-grandkids to say than Great Grandma!
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    Our grandmothers hold a special place in our lives. Whether they live near us or are thousands of miles away, we have a unique bond with them.

    Our old ladies look after us as we grow up and love teaching us a thing or two about our culture’s past or telling old tales of wisdom. Not to mention the finger-licking family meals that nobody can beat. Not even your mom!

    Whatever roles our grandmas play in our lives, they are a source of warmth and comfort for us. So, it only makes sense that we bestow them with meaningful and cute grandma names that match what they mean to us.

    Something that would show our adorable golden girls our irreplaceable love for them. It only makes sense, right?

    There are a ton of different types of grandmother names out there for you to choose from, ranging from the traditional to the modern. If you have embarked on the journey of figuring out what to call your grandmother, sit back, relax, and let us help you find a moniker that would be the perfect fit for your lovely granny.

    3 Types of Grandma Names

    There are plenty of cool names for grandmothers out there. When picking one for your grandma, you may want to take into account what best suits your grandmother’s personality. Perhaps your grandmother is a bit of an old-fashioned lady and therefore, a classic name would be the most suitable choice for her.

    Or maybe your grandma is still young at heart, in which case she would love to rock a modern nickname. Culture also plays a big role in choosing a name for your Meemaw.

    No matter what it is, read on below to take a look at all 3 types of popular grandmother names.

    Traditional Names for Grandmas

    Grandmother and Granddaughter

    • Gammie
    • Gams
    • Gramma
    • Grammie or Grammy
    • Grams or Gramms
    • Gran
    • Grana
    • Grandma
    • Grandmom
    • Grandmother
    • Gran-Gran
    • Granny or Grannie
    • Nan or Nana
    • Nanny

     

    Modern Names for Grandmas

    Classy and Trendy Grandmother

    • Amma
    • Bama or Bamba
    • BeBe
    • Birdie
    • Bunny
    • Cici
    • Coco
    • Gabbie or Gabby
    • GiGi or Gee-Gee
    • Glamma or Glammy
    • Kitty
    • MayMay
    • Mimi
    • Nonnie

     

    Grandma Names from Other Cultures and Languages

    Smiling Grandma in Hat

    • Abuela or Abuelita – Spanish
    • Avó – Portuguese
    • Babushka – Russian
    • Bubbe – Yiddish
    • Halmeoni – Korean
    • Jadati – Arabic
    • KukuHawaiian
    • Lola – Philippines
    • Mémé – French
    • Naani and Daadi – Urdu/Hindi
    • Nene – Turkish
    • Nonna – Italian
    • Oma or Omi – German
    • YaYa – Greek

     

    Sassy Grandma Names

    Badass Grandma Armwrestling Man
    Some grandmothers simply don’t fit the mold of your typical grandma. They are out-of-the-box, bold, lively, and a often little feisty. These grannies love having fun and are always up for a good time!

    If that sounds like your mean ol’ gal, you’d better believe choosing a name for her means serious business. We’ve got your back though! Here is a list of names that would capture your sassy grandma’s personality perfectly:

    • Babi
    • Bomma
    • Cookie
    • Grammers
    • Grammo
    • Honey
    • Looloo
    • Lovie
    • Mamie
    • Marmie
    • Maw Maw
    • Meema
    • Meems
    • Mimsy
    • Minny
    • Momo
    • Pippy
    • Queenie
    • Shimmy
    • Sugar
    • Sweets
    • Tootsie
    • Wami
    • Zaza

     

    2022’s Trendy Grandma Names

    Trendy Grandma Pink Background
    Did somebody say trendy granny names? We heard you!

    Trendy grandmas are worthy of more than just a mention. These grannies stand out from the crowd and just don’t like the average, run-of-the-mill, traditional names.

    Our modern and trendy grandmothers are choosy – and rightfully so!

    Their savagery knows no bounds and their incredibly bold and unique personality is a refreshing breath of air for everyone around them.

    These grandmas are the word fabulous personified and no matter how old they get, they are the life of the party. They essentially write the rules to the book of ageless beauty and style.

    Take a look below for some trendy names for 2022:

    • Babai
    • Bama
    • Bir
    • Bubbles
    • Bun Bun
    • Candy
    • Foxy
    • Gadgy
    • Gam Gam
    • G-Ma
    • Gogi
    • Grammakins
    • Grancy
    • Granny Pie
    • Hammy
    • Lala
    • Meemaw
    • Minnie
    • Momsie
    • Moomins
    • MooMoo
    • Nanny
    • Pippa
    • Sweetie Pie
    • Sweets
    • Teenie

     

    Grandma Movie Icons: Grandma Approved Names

    Classy Grandma Shoes
    Famous TV and movie grandmas have redefined the way we perceive our lovely old ladies and are broadening our view of what it means to be one.

    From being sassy to wickedly funny, there is a huge chance your real-life grandma is similar to one of the popular onscreen ones. These badass pop culture grandmas can be an inspiration behind your favorite granny moniker.

    Have a look at the list below and let the grandmas of the entertainment industry guide you in picking grandma names:

    Mabel “Madea” Simmons – The definitive badass grandma, Mabel Madea Simmons is her own brand of justice and sometimes violence (in a fun way).

    Lady Olenna Tyrell (Game of Thrones) – While Lady Tyrell might not have ever sat on the Iron Throne, but she was a Queen in her own right.

    Dowager Countess (Downton Abbey) – Grandma Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey is the perfect mix of snarky-ness and wisdom all packed into one.

    Grandma Annie (The Proposal) – Do we need another reason to love Betty White? She is the mischievous grandma whose antics are ones we all love and enjoy.

    Mamaw (Hillbilly Elegy) – She is the old-fashioned tough-love grandma we all need. Her love for her family is fierce. Cross her once and she’ll come after you faster than you can imagine!

    Sophia Petrillo (The Golden Girls) – Sophia was arguably one of the funniest The Golden Girls had to offer. Well into her 80s, she was still sharp as a tack and a true master of savage comedy.

    Grandma Celebrity Moms

    Gone are the days when the word “grandma” conjured up images of traditional old ladies with huge glasses and knitting yarn by their side.

    Hollywood’s celebrity grandmothers put another level of cool to the grandma status. They have had successful careers and raised children with famous names. And the best part is, they put their grandkids on a pedestal and love them to bits.

    From winning prestigious awards to writing best-selling books, these grandma celebrity moms have done and seen it all. They are the ultimate representation of Glam-mas.

    Lovey (Kris Jenner)


    Kris Jenner needs no introduction, being the mom of the famous Kardashian and Jenner clan. She is the doting grandma of young children Penelope, Mason, Reign, Saint West, North, and Dream.

    Kris Jenner loves to feel young and is known for refusing to be called the grandma moniker. Instead, she prefers to be called “lovey” by her returnable bundles of joy.

    Shazza (Sharon Osbourne)


    Talk show host Sharon Osbourne is often seen doting over her grandkids. She loves being a grandmother and describes being a grandma as “amazing.” Her two grandchildren girls Pearl and Andy Rose lovingly call her Shazza.

    Granny (Whoopi Goldberg)


    From winning an Oscar to being the energetic talk show host we all love and adore, Whoopi Goldberg is doing it all. But to top it all of, she is not only a loving grandma to her grandkids but also a great-grandma! How cool is that?

    Honey (Susan Sarandon)


    Talented actress Susan Sarandon is not only an Oscar-winning actress but also a grandma to two lovely kids. She first became a grandma in 2014 and has since been lovingly called Honey by her grandkids.

    Grandma (Tina Knowles)


    Beyoncé may be the famous Queen B we all know and love, but Tina Knowles is the real secret behind her beauty. Tina keeps it classic with “Grandma,” is successful at both running her own business, and is an awesome granny. She is the grandmother to kids Blue Ivy and Daniel.

    Names for Grandmothers Through the Decades

    Grandma in Sombrero
    Being the special ladies that they are, grandmothers have always had unique and affectionate names attached to them through the centuries. Every kid has their version of a grandma name that they choose.

    For some, though, it’s the grannies who choose the perfect name for themselves. Even then, it just comes down to what the little one can pronounce and ultimately, ends up calling them.

    In any case, you are here wondering what to call your grandma and we are going to help you figure that out. We have got a rundown of unique grandma monikers for you arranged by the decades they were famous in.

    So, if you and your grandmas are old souls, take a pick from the names mentioned in the earlier decades. Otherwise, choose one from the relatively recent years and have fun. Make sure to pick one your Grammy will love, too!

    The 10 Best Names of the 2010s

    Since the 2010s and after, many people have mostly shifted towards grandma names that start with either the letter “G” or “M.” Of course, this is not to say that there are no other types of names out there.

    Every country, culture, and tradition have their own take on giving their grandmothers interesting names that they’ll remember fondly, no matter what alphabet they start from.

    With that in mind, we have listed a bunch of names for grandmas that have become more prevalent in use since the 2010s:

    • GG
    • Nanny-Magoo
    • Ma or Maw
    • Marmee or Marmie
    • Mima
    • Mema
    • Mimaw
    • Golly
    • Gammy
    • Gimmy

     

    The 10 Best Names of the 2000s

    Going back a decade further, the common names for children to call their grandmothers do vary a little compared to nowadays. Many of these names represent the fond relationship we all have with our grandparents.

    They are perfect for letting your grandmom know that you love and adore them while also staying respectful. Since there are plenty of options to choose from, we have narrowed the list down to the 10 best names from the 2000s.

    • Grammers
    • Grams
    • Moo
    • Marmee
    • Geema
    • Meems
    • Grandmama
    • Momsy
    • Nooni
    • Nanoo

     

    The 10 Best Names of the 1990s

    For many, the 1990s was a decade of hope, relief, and innovation. Internet was introduced and it forever changed everyone’s lives as they knew it.

    We hope you find a name that you like from this decade and choose one that feels right to you. If none of these names do the trick for you, don’t worry. We still have 3 more decades to go!

    • Lita
    • Gracy
    • Mia
    • Mumzie
    • Nina
    • Golly
    • Gram
    • Grand Momma
    • Grandma
    • Grand nana

     

    The 10 Best Names of the 1980s

    Grandmothers have always been special and the 1980s were no different. With baby boomers starting families and kids, there were a lot of little ones to go around who could call their grandmas with adoring names.

    Here is a list of 10 popular names in the 1980s:

    • Agnes
    • Fannie
    • Ethel
    • Grammy-Granny
    • Goldie
    • Everly
    • Bessie
    • Delia
    • Eula
    • Grand-mama

     

    The 10 Best Names of the 1970s

    The 1970s was the era of disco that brought a massive boom in pop culture lifestyle. It was entertainment and innovation at its best. However, what remained the same is our love for our grandmothers.

    Here is a list of 10 names that were super popular in many people’s favorite decade:

    • Ruth
    • Winifred
    • Betty
    • Irma
    • Myrtle
    • Trixie
    • Bertha
    • Dixie
    • Edith
    • Nettie

     

    The 10 Best Names of the 1960s

    The 1960s were the decade of protests, hippies, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll. Alongside the revolutionary changes that took place in this decade, we saw unique grandmother names make their way into our lives.

    These are the commonly used names by many children of the 1960s to refer to their grandmas:

    • Nannie
    • Lottie
    • Esther
    • Gertrude
    • Beulah
    • Gladys
    • Flossie
    • Mildred
    • Bertha
    • Dixie

     

    The Takeaway

    Old Lady Black and White
    We all want to express our love for our grandmothers by coming up with special names for them. In our pursuit, though, we can sometimes feel confused and lost. But as evidenced by this article, there are plenty of options present when it comes to picking a name for your grandma.

    We hope the diverse collection of cute, trendy, and cool grandma names mentioned in this article will have at least one choice that is perfect for your granny. Pick a name that best describes your relationship with your grandma and you are good to go!

    David Woods Autho Bio Picture
    David is the pet lover behind My Pet's Name. He is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America, holds two degrees and has studied Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare. As well as writing, David has helped over 2 million people choose the best name for their pet.

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