25 Sassy Grandma Names for Hip Grandmas (and Grandpas)
Do you have a traditional grandma name or a sassy grandma name? Did you know that in today’s modern world, you get to choose your very own sassy Grandparent name!?
I’m a hip and sassy grandma, but I went traditional with my grandma name. I didn’t even know that I would get to pick my sassy grandma name. When my kids asked, “What do you want the baby to call you?” I wondered what my options were!
When I was a child, I had two sets of grandparents, one set that was my mom’s parents, and one set that was my dad’s. Like many kids from Generation X, we simply called our grandparents by their last name, preceded by Grandma or Grandpa.
My grandparents did not have sassy grandparent names. They were called Grandma and Grandpa Link and Grandma and Grandpa House. I also had a couple of Great Grandmas, and we called them by their last names: Great-Grandma Link and Great-Grandma Miller. Simple, right? Well, life isn’t quite as simple as it used to be, and that can bring many unique and fun new experiences!
The Surprise Request!
I was so surprised when my kids asked me to choose my name when my first grandchild was on the way. I wasn’t prepared to choose a sassy grandma name. I planned to follow my family’s tradition and be called “grandma.” I worked hard to raise my kids and feel like grandma is an obvious choice. I earned it and planned to use it proudly!!!
One of the benefits of going traditional with my grandma name is that it didn’t clash with what the other new grandparents chose. They went with non-traditional names, and that works great. My grandson can call us each by our choice with no confusion.
I’ve done some research, and it turns out my friends who are now grandparents also have some unique and sassy grandparent names. Here are some fun choices to help you when you get asked, “What do you want your grandkids to call you?”
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25 Sassy Grandparent Names
Many grandparent names are specific to the area of the country in which you live. For example, a sassy grandma name in the South may look very different from the name you would choose if you live along the West Coast. Here are some examples from several regions of the United States!
Regional Choices for your Sassy Grandma Name
MeeMaw & Papaw
This sweet name duo is familiar in the Southern states. I have a friend whose kiddos call his grandparents from South Carolina these fun names.
TuTu Wahine & Tutu Kane
In the Hawaiian language, grandparents of both genders use Tutu. If you want to be more specific, TuTu Wahine is the name for Grandmother and TuTu Kane for Grandfather. How darling would it be to be Wahine or Kane if you chose to shorten in a different and unique Hawaiian way! I can’t think of a more sassy grandma name than TuTu!
Memere & Pepere, or Mémé & Pépé
The formal names for grandparents in French are “grandmére” and “grandpére.” Do you want to shorten it for ease? Great idea! The shorter versions are easy enough for even the youngest grandchild to pronounce. These nicknames, with their French Cajun roots, are sometimes used in the Southern States around Louisiana.
Grammy & Grampy or Grams & Gramps
If you’d like a set of names that work for any region of the good ole’ U.S., then these traditional choices might be just right for you. These names are pretty popular no matter what region you’re from, and are easy to pronounce and leave no doubt who your special grandkids are talking about!
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International Choices for your Sassy Grandma Name
If you are rooted in your cultural background, you may want to consider a grandparent name from your mother country. Here are some of the top sassy grandma names I’ve heard used in my community and among my friends and family. The list of international grandparent names is long and far-reaching, so I can only hit on a few of them here.
You can always take a gander at Google Translate to get more ideas. Simply enter Grandma or Grandpa in the “English” section, choose your end language and see what happens!
Abuela and Abuelo
You may remember these sassy grandparent names from our T.V. friend Dora, the Explorer. Dora’s Abuela was a big part of Dora’s life and guest-starred on many episodes! My son is now in middle school. He has been in our TWBI (Two-Way Bilateral Immersion) class since he was in Kindergarten. Many of his kids are from Latino families and use these names for their grandparents!
Oma & Opa
Oma and Opa are the Dutch terms of endearment for grandparents. My home community of Holland, Michigan, is steeped in Dutch culture, so we hear these sassy grandparent names daily!
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More Choices from around the World for your Sassy Grandparent Names
Busia & Dziadzia
(pronounced Busha and Zya-Zya) – A Polish form of Grandma & Grandpa. It seems there are several variations on this set. I have friends called by these sassy grandparent names, so it had to make my list.
Yaya & Pappoúli
If you were a fan of Full House in the ’90s, like my kids were, then you are most likely familiar with Uncle Jessie, played by John Stamos (hubba hubba). His on-screen parents made a couple of visits to the Tanner family, where they were lovingly called Yaya and Pappouli in a nod to John Stamos’ Greek heritage. Who says sitcoms can’t be educational!?
Ouma & Oupa
These Afrikaans terms for grandparents are so regal sounding! I love that they sound similar to the Dutch words, though these two sets of grandparents culturally come from entirely different backgrounds. It is, indeed, a small world!
Distinguishing Maternal and Paternal Grandparents the Easy Way
Some languages make it very easy to tell maternal and paternal grandparents apart by simply changing up the grandparent’s name to fit each side of the family. Here are some great examples:
Nani & Nana (or Dadi & Dada)
Indian language distinguishes between maternal grandparents named Nani & Nana and paternal grandparents with Dadi and Dada. So simple.
Mormor & Morfar (or Farmor & Farfar)
The Swedish terms for grandparents are my favorites. They make perfect sense with “Mormor” translating to “mother’s mother,” while “Morfar” translates to “mother’s father,” etc. Brilliant!
Nai Nai & Ye Ye (or Lao Ye & Lao Lao)
I did not want to leave out our Asian friends. Here’s another culture that makes it simple to narrow in on which grandparent you’re talking about. The Mandarin term for maternal grandparents are Lao Ye & Lao Lao, and the paternal grandparents are Nai Nai and Ye Ye.
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Bonus Chart for your Sassy Grandma Name
Here’s a handy chart full of sassy grandparent names in languages from around the world.
| Language | Grandma | Grandpa |
| Danish | Mormor | Bedstefar |
| French | Grand-mère | Grand-père |
| German | Oma | Opa |
| Greek | Giagiá | Pappoús |
| Hawaiian | Kuku wahine (or Tutu) | Kuku Kane (or Tutu) |
| Hungarian | Nagymama | Nagypapa |
| Irish | Mhamó | Seanathair |
| Italian | Nonna | Nonno |
| Japanese | O baachan | O jiichan |
| Korean | Halmeoni | Hal-abeoji |
| Polish | Babcia | Dziadek |
| Portuguese | Avó | Vovô |
| Russian | Babushka | Dedushka |
| Spanish | Abuela | Abuelo |
| Swahili | Bibi | Babu |
Hip & Sassy Grandparent Names
Some languages make it very easy to tell maternal and paternal grandparents apart by simply changing up the grandparent’s name to fit each side of the family. Here are some great examples:
Glamma & Glampa
These are the perfect hipster grandparent names. You know the pair – the ones who love to live the glamorous life and are proud of it! After all – who isn’t proud of being glamorous!?
Mimzy & Pimzy
These quirky names make my heart smile. Who wouldn’t want a Mimzy and Pimzy in their life? And I bet you won’t have to compete with the other grandparents for this set of names!
Foxy & Popsy
If you’re the type who is foxy and you know it, here’s the grandma name for you! And Popsy sounds perfect with it. If you are the two who love any excuse for a party and are some hip and adorable grandparents, then look no further than these sassy grandparent names!
MiMi & Pops
These two names are pretty special to me and describe a couple of the most adorable and fun grandparents I know. My grandson calls his other grandparents by these super cute and sassy grandparent names. He was here in my living room just the other night calling “Pops” on his pretend phone. Of course, these two names give me all the feels in a great way! Anyone my grandkid loves is a friend of mine!
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Are you ready for a Hip & Sassy Grandma Name?
Pipp & Papp or Pippy & Pappy
These sassy grandparent names are sweet and whimsical. Pipp & Papp has a bit of a southern feel with a free-spirited touch! And these two (or the similar Pippy and Pappy) are all very unique!
Lolli & Pop
If you’ve got a great sense of humor and want something unique, then this is the pair of names for you! After all, who doesn’t love a set of LolliPops for grandparents!?
GiGi & GiPi
This unique name for grandma and grandpa is perfect if you’re the Great-Grandparents. Gigi is a shortened version of G.G., which stands for Great-Grandma and G.P. for Great-Grandpa. With these names, no one will confuse your terms for your grown kids’ grandparent names.
Sassy Grandparent Names of the Rich and famous!
Are you looking for some inspiration from those who have gone before you? Those who have chosen their unique and sassy grandparent names? Then check out what some of these well-known grandparents are called by their favorite littles!
Bubbe
The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was affectionately called by this name.
YiaYia and Papou
We all love Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, right? Their grandkids do, too, as you can see by these fun and unique grandparent names!
Mimi Maxwell and Jefe
Laura and George W. Bush have certainly gone in a direction I would not have expected with these genuinely unique choice names! “Jefe,” of course, means “boss” in Spanish, and I guess that fits since he is arguably one of among the most powerful men in the world as a former U.S. President.
Lovey
Awwwww… Kris Kardashian wins for the loveliest grandma name with this one. Lovey is certainly a sassy grandma name, and if there ever was a sassy grandma, then Kris K fits the description!
Literary Grandparents
Marmee
Did you read Little Women? You must. It’s good. And Marmee is the sweet and caring grandmother from the book.
Nanny
If you’re a fan of the story of Mary Poppins, then you might like this creative alternative taken from Mary Poppins’ role as a Nanny.
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Now Its Your Turn to Pick Your Sassy Grandma Name
Any way you look at it, choosing your grandparent name is an honor, knowing that those sweet little people will use that word with love for their entire life. It’s your turn to pick what works for you and your family, or go wild and let your grandkid pick what they’ll call you! Being a grandparent is a whole new journey. Enjoy the ride!
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My Mom said she never wanted to be called a Nana, my Dad never Papa. My niece and nephew “obeyed” and proceeded to call them Grandma & Grandpa. However, my kiddos…without any extra encouragement, have chosen Nana & Pops. My parents couldn’t love the names more!!
That’s a great story! I think in the end, I would love anything my grandkids call me. My one little grandson called my husband Dan Bumpa for a minute, but quickly switched as soon as he could pronounce Grandpa. I kind of miss hearing Bumpa! So sweet.
My mom wanted to be called “Memere” but it ended up being a variation of that, grandma, and, her first name. They called her GrandMary. ❤️
That’s so cute! I love it when the grandbabies pick their own grandma’s name. I asked for Grandma, and the other grandma is MiMi, but with 4 more kids yet to give me grandbabies, I will be curious to see if Grandma stick with all of them or if I get another name.