There is nothing more exciting than hearing there will be a new addition coming into your family.
You gave birth to your child, and now they can feel that same happiness as they bring their own baby into the world. You’re going to be a grandma! Or Granny? Nanny? What should you be called?

When it comes to becoming a grandmother (see also ‘Top Five Must-Haves When Hosting A Grandmother Shower‘), one thing that you should prepare for is what you will be called.
With so many options to choose from, both traditional and modern, things can get confusing. That is why we will be helping you choose the perfect grandma name.
Things To Consider When Picking A Grandma Name
There are some things to consider when picking a grandmas name:
Is The Name Too Long?
Names like “Grandma” or “Grannie” are great if you want something short but sweet. Having a shorter name is also better for children who are learning to speak.
Making it short and sweet will be an appropriate option and will be easy to remember.
Do You Have Any Nicknames?
If you do, then you may want to use those instead of choosing a traditional Grandma name. Whilst this strays away from the traditional, some prefer a casual name.
Does “Grandma” Sound Too Old?
Not all grandmothers to be are the typical “grandma age”. You may be in your early 40s or even in your 30s and be getting ready to be a grandmother.
However, grandma may sound too old or elderly. Think about names which suit a younger grandma.
Will You Be Using The Name Often?
The most important thing to think about is how often you will be called this name. It may be that you live far away, so won’t be seeing your grandchild all the time.
In this case, perhaps the name you choose wouldn’t be too important, or maybe you’d want it to be significant, so they will always remember you.
What Kind Of Personality Does The Name Represent?
Think about who you want to be around your grandchild. Does the name reflect the type of person you want to be?
Can They Pronounce It Easily?
Even though you may know how to say the name, others may not. Make sure that you choose a name that your grandchild can say easily without making mistakes.
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Traditional Vs Modern
Choosing a name is a difficult decision, especially as this name will be with you for life.
We found that the easiest way to come to a decision is to split your choices into two categories: traditional and modern.
There are many types of names to choose from, and it is important to choose a name that you feel comfortable with, that suits you, and that your grandchildren will love.
Traditional
Some traditional grandma names are:
- Grandma
- Grandmama
- Grandmother
- Gammy/Gams
- Gram/Grams
- Gran
- Granny
Modern
Some modern grandma names are:
- Gaga
- YaYa
- Abba
- Gigi
- Amma
- Birdy
- Glamma
- G-maw
When Children Have Multiple Grandparents

One thing which should be considered is your grandchild having multiple grandparents. It is highly likely that this will be the case for them.
They will have yourself and your partner, and then their other parent’s parents. They may even refer to close family friends as grandparents.
With this in mind, it is important to choose a name that will not cause too much confusion.
If all the grandmothers were referred to with the same name, then this would be a confusing situation for everyone.
So what would happen if you had three different grandmothers? Well, you could call each one by a different name.
For example, they might call one grandmother “Nana”, another “Aunty” and another “G-maw”. This would make things very simple for everyone involved.
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Approved By Your Grandchild’s Parents
If you are going to take on the role of being a grandparent, you need to ensure that your choice of name is approved by both the child’s mother and father.
If they don’t like the name, then there is no point in using it. Although you may find out later that they do approve of it, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Choose A Name That Is Easily Spoken By Your Grandchildren
As we briefly mentioned above, you also need to consider whether the name is easy to pronounce. You may well be able to speak the name perfectly, but others may struggle to understand it.
Even if you know how to say the word, you may not wish to use it because it isn’t a simple-sounding name. So, when choosing a name, try to avoid words that sound foreign or unusual.
Choose something that sounds natural and is easy to say.
Let Your Grandkid Choose
Have you ever considered simply letting your grandchild choose your name? This is a great idea!
The reason why we suggest that you let them pick the name is because children tend to get attached to certain names.
They may think that the name belongs to them, and so they will fight to keep it.
It is important to remember, though, that you shouldn’t force your grandchild to choose a name that they don’t really like. Let them choose a name that they enjoy.
If they don’t want to choose a name themselves, then you can go ahead and decide, but this is still a great option to consider.
This will help you decide on a name that they will actually like.
How To Be The Best Grandparent
The best way to become a good grandparent is to love your grandchildren (see also ‘Activities For Grandchildren And Grandparents Despite Limited Mobility‘). Show them lots of affection and spend time with them. Don’t forget about them, either.
Make sure you visit them regularly and talk to them every day. Remember that they are your future, and you want them to grow up happy and healthy.
Don’t Forget About Them
Another way to be a good grandparent is not to forget about them. When you are busy with work or school, you may let our minds wander away from them at times.
However, you don’t want to neglect them completely. You need to show them that you care about them. After all, they are your future.
Take Care Of Their Needs
Another great way to be a good grandparent is to look after their needs. Children often have special requirements that only grandparents and parents can provide.
These include helping them with homework, teaching them new skills, taking them to activities, and providing moral support.
So, as you can see, there are many ways that you can be a good grandparent. It is possible to make a real difference to your grandkids’ lives.
Just follow these tips, and you’ll soon be a wonderful grandparent.
Final Thoughts
Grandparents are an amazing part of family life. They play such an important role in raising children. As a result, they should always be treated with respect. Choosing The perfect grandma name is a great way to start!