Some of the names cited for grandmothers include Boo, Mimi and Nanan. For grandfathers such terms of endearment include Pa, Papa and Captain. People living in Cardiff and Plymouth are more likely to use a unique name for their grandfather and those in Nottingham, London and Leicester likewise for their grandmother.
Nan - Of British origin, Nan is short for Nanny or Nana, all popular alternatives to grandmother. This is a great choice for families with European ties or British family history, and is short and sweet making it easy for little grandchildren to pronounce.
Etymology. The word nan for grandma is a shortening of the word nana. Both of these words probably are child pronunciations of the word nanny. Etymonline describes this word as originating as a child's word for "female adult other than mother".
In Britain, Ireland, United States, Australia, New Zealand and, particularly prevalent in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nan, Nana, Nanna, Nanny, Gran and Granny and other variations are often used for grandmother in both writing and speech.
-Scottish: In Scottish Gaelic, the word for grandma is “Seanmhair,” which means good mother. But other commonly used Scottish grandmother names include “Nana,” “Nanna,” “Mhamó” and “Mamó.” -Spanish: In Spanish, grandmothers are known as “Abuela” or “Abuelita.”
Ireland: Seanmháthair is Irish for grandmother, but Irish children are much more likely to use Maimeó or Móraí.
Ireland (Gaelic)
While maimeó anddaideó are the words used to address a grandmother or grandfather, there are a few different words for grandparents in Irish. For example, there are máthair chríona, which translates to “wise mother,” and athair críonna which translates to “wise father.”
(In Aboriginal English-speak, we refer to this commonality as 'same same' or 'same kind'). For example, in Bardi the maternal grandmother (on Mother's side) is Garminy whereas the paternal grandmother (on Father's side) is Golli.
question: What do you call your grandmother in Australia? I called both of my grandmothers' Nanna. My grandchildren call me Grandma and my son's children call their maternal grandmother Babaa. Her children called their paternal grandmother Nanna and their maternal grandmother Grammy.
In Australia, most people call their mothers 'mum'. But you have probably heard 'mom' used on American television. And some people prefer the spelling 'mam'.
In Wales there are a whole host of names we use to refer to our grandparents – from nain and taid or mamgu and tadcu to nanny and bampi or gran and grampa.
Gramps: A fun American grandfather name that's short and sweet. Granddad: Traditionally used in the UK, this one has an elegant and dignified feel without being as formal as Grandfather. Granddaddy: It has the sentimental appeal of Granddad with the softer and familiarized “-dy” suffix to endear the grandkids.
-Scottish: In Scottish Gaelic, the word for grandpa is “Seanair,” but other commonly used Scottish grandfather names include “Grandad” and “Grandpa.” -Spanish: In Spanish, grandfathers are most commonly called “Abuelo” but can also be called “Abuelito” or “Tito.”
Italians call theirs Nonna and Nonno respectively. For France, your grandmother is your Grandmére or Mémé and your grandfather Grandpére or Pépé. In Greece, our grandparents are Yaya and Pappoús. In Denmark, the Flemish for grandmother is Bomma and for grandfather Bonpa.
Break 'grandpa' down into sounds: [GRAN] + [PAA] - say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
Many southerners in seven states, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia, opt to call their grandmothers familiar names that you might expect. The most popular southern grandmother names are Mamaw, Mawmaw, Memaw, Nana, and Mimi.
In comparison Granny is the most adored name for Scottish grandmothers with 45% of people in Edinburgh using it and 31% in Glasgow. Less than 10% of Scots use the name Nanny. For grandfathers the most popular name nationwide by far is Grandad (68%) - with over two thirds using this name.
Aboriginal people refer to an Elder as 'Aunty' or 'Uncle'. However, it is recommended that non-Aboriginal people check the appropriateness of their use of these terms as referring to an Elder or leader as Aunty or Uncle may not be appropriate for an outsider unless a strong relationship has been established.
Oma. The German word "großmutter" translates to "grandmother." But the short and sweet "Oma" is a common nickname for a female grandparent.
India. “In our Indian culture, 'nani' is maternal grandmother, and 'dadi' is paternal. 'Nana' is maternal grandfather, and 'dada' is paternal,” shares Lisa Batra is a first-generation Indian, with immigrant parents, and two kids of her own. The busy entrepreneur is also founder of My Kid's Threads.
Oma and Opa are the Dutch terms of endearment for grandparents.