Until my first grandchild was on the way, I had no idea how many possibilities existed for my Grandma Name, or how hard it was going to be to choose one! Whenever someone heard the happy news, “Congratulations!” was often followed by “Do you know what your Grandma Name will be?”
Oh. Time to do a Google search!
Was I a traditional Grandma or a hip Gigi? A sweet Honey or a sassy Mimi? I considered a somewhat unique name, repeating the first initial of my first name and becoming Bibi. I also considered drawing on my Italian heritage and being Nonna.
I was pretty sure I didn’t want the name I called my maternal grandmother and also what my children called my own mother – Grammy – because that was…. her name! And I thought it sounded a bit old-fashioned, somehow reminding me of Granny Clampett. (sorry, Mom) So imagine my surprise when the first time I visited my newborn grandson, out of my mouth comes “Grammy is so happy to see you!” My son looked at me and said, “So you are Grammy?” and I answered, “I guess so!”
Now to make myself stand out, I did “update” the name to make it more modern and cool, and I am Grammie. And my mom’s Great-Grandma name is Nana. Do you love it?
What about my husband? He really doesn’t seem to care. “What does it matter? The baby can’t even talk yet.”
That’s an engineer for you.
Mr. Practical.
However, he looked a little shocked when I told him about a friend whose grandchild decided to call his grandfather “Chewbacca”! I personally love that one.
Now that’s another whole concern – more than one person has said that it doesn’t really matter what name you choose, because your grandchild might call you something else entirely and you won’t even care!
Huh. Could be cute, but could get wacky. I think I’ll just keep repeating the name Grammie until it catches on!
Here are some grandparent names I found in my search that you might consider if you are looking for a Grandmother or Grandfather Name:
Grandma / Grandpa
Grammy / Grampy
Gram / Gramps
Gran / Grandad
Granny / Pappy
G-ma / G-da
G-mommy / G-daddy
Nana / Papa
Memaw / Pawpaw
Mimi / Pops
Gigi / Bumpa
Bibi / Bubba
Nonna / Nonno
Yaya / Papu
Oma / Opa
Honey / Duke
Lolly / Pop
Lala / Buddy
Sweetie / Chief
What is your Grandma name? Is there a story that goes with it?
Isaiah 43:1 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
