Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

      How to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with one of these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Culture and Lifestyle
  3. 65 of Our Favorite Southern Grandma Names and Nicknames

65 of Our Favorite Southern Grandma Names and Nicknames

Southern Living May 2021 Cover
By Southern Living Editors Updated June 21, 2022
Skip gallery slides
FB
grandma names, grandmother
Credit: Getty Images

Becoming a parent is one of life's scariest, most surreal moments. Becoming a grandparent is all about the fun. Who sneaks you cookies well after you're not supposed to be eating sugar?—It's Grandma. In the South, chances are there isn't a nickname for grandma that you haven't heard. We compiled a list of the cutest nicknames that will inspire you and give grandma some well-deserved recognition.

Southern grandmothers are a national treasure. From the food cooking in their kitchens to the traditions that warm us from the inside out, we can think of endless reasons why we're lucky to have these remarkable women in our lives. From grandma nicknames in other languages to unique grandma names, we've got a fun list of options for the grandmother in your family. 

Start Slideshow

1 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Abba

Abba
Credit: Southern Living

She may not be as universally known as the band ABBA, but to you, there's only one Abba that matters.

1 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Abuela

Abuela
Credit: Southern Living

Abuela and Abuelita are common Spanish grandmother names. 

2 of 65

3 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Amma

Amma

Amma is a shortened version of "Gamma." 

3 of 65

Advertisement

4 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Baba

Baba
Credit: Southern Living

They'll master your grandma's name when it's so close to the word for their bottle.

4 of 65

5 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Babs

Babs, grandma names
Credit: Getty Images

This grandma name could be a shortened version of "Barbara" or just a unique name for your grand kiddies to call you.

5 of 65

6 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Birdy

Birdy
Credit: Southern Living

A fun grandma name like this would pair well with a grandpa who goes by "Tweety" or "Biggy."

6 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Bomma

Bomma
Credit: Southern Living

"We're going to Bomma's house" never sounded so sweet. 

7 of 65

8 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Bubbe

Bubbe
Credit: Southern Living

"Bubbeh" is the Yiddish word for grandmother. 

8 of 65

9 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Bunny

Bunny Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Some "Bunny" loves you!

9 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Cookie

Cookie Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

A sweet grandma name for a lovely season of life!

10 of 65

11 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Darling

Darling Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

You'll bring an entirely new meaning to "that's just darling."

11 of 65

12 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Didi

<p>Didi could be a nickname for Diana or Deborah. </p>

Didi could be a nickname for Diana or Deborah. 

12 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

G

G
Credit: Southern Living

Simple but effective.

13 of 65

14 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Gaga

Gaga Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

You're more fabulous than Lady Gaga in your grandchildren's eyes. 

14 of 65

15 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

GamGam

GamGam Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Who doesn't love alliteration? 

15 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Gamma

Gamma Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

"Grandma" might be difficult for little ones to pronounce at first, so "Gamma" is a sweet substitution. 

16 of 65

17 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Gammie

Gammie Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Like "Grammy," this grandma's name will never go out of style.

17 of 65

18 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Gan-Gan

<p>You'll never tire of your precious grandkids calling your name. </p>

You'll never tire of your precious grandkids calling your name. 

18 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Gigi

Gigi Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

This popular grandma name is just too cute. 

19 of 65

20 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Glamma

Glamma
Credit: Southern Living

Glamma because you're a glamorous Southern grandma. 

20 of 65

21 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

G-Ma

G-Ma
Credit: Southern Living

Your grandkids will appreciate this nifty name abbreviation when they're older.

21 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

GoGo

GoGo
Credit: Southern Living

We're all for throwing it back to the 70s with a name like GoGo.

22 of 65

23 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grammy

Grammy Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

It's a classic grandma name for a classy lady.

23 of 65

24 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grams

Grams
Credit: Southern Living

Grams and Pops–the sweetest grandparent name combination!

24 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Gran

Gran Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

There's nothing more endearing than the name your grandchildren choose for you. 

25 of 65

26 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grandma

Grandma
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

The go-to name for generations. 

26 of 65

27 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grandmama

Grandmama Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Grandmamas make the world go round. 

27 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grandmom

Grandmom
Credit: Southern Living

Consider this name the slightly more modern version of "Grandmother."

28 of 65

29 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grandmother

Grandmother
Credit: Southern Living

It's a proper name for a proper Southern grandma.

29 of 65

30 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Grannie

Grannie
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Like "Grammie," but slightly easier to pronounce for learning ears. 

30 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Honey

Honey
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Because as we know, all grandmas are sweet like honey!

31 of 65

32 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lala

Lala
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Don't you want to hear, "Lala, come play!"

32 of 65

33 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lolly

Lolly
Credit: Southern Living

Pair this grandma name with "Pop" for the ultimate grandparent name duo. 

33 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Lovie

Lovie Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

All of the best hugs and kisses come from Lovie! 

34 of 65

35 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Ma

Ma
Credit: Southern Living

Short and sweet! 

35 of 65

36 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mamoo

Mamoo
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Every grandma's name is unique and special in its own right.

36 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Marmi

Marmi
Credit: Southern Living

This name is excellent for grandmothers named Margaret, Marnie, or Maggie.

37 of 65

38 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mawmaw

Mawmaw Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

We all know someone who's called Mawmaw by their grandkids. 

38 of 65

39 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mee

<p>Like Grammie, but shortened for ease. </p>

Like Grammie, but shortened for ease. 

39 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

40 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Meems

Meems
Credit: Southern Living

"Meems always has the best sweets at her house." 

40 of 65

41 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Memaw

Memaw Grandmother Name Image
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

The name Memaw has a special place in our Southern hearts. 

41 of 65

42 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Memere

Memere
Credit: Southern Living

You never know what name grandkids will come up with in terms of naming!

42 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

43 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mimi

Mimi Grandmother Name Image
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Fresh baked cookies at Mimi's house just taste better.

43 of 65

44 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mimsy

Mimsy
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

We're not sure why adding "-sy" to the end of names automatically makes them sweeter. It must be something about the little ones who say it!

44 of 65

45 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mine

Mine Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Your grandkids are right to stake their claim on you as best grandma. 

45 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

46 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mom-Mom

<p>Doubling up on two grandma names is always better (and more fun!) than one.</p>

Doubling up on two grandma names is always better (and more fun!) than one.

46 of 65

47 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Moo

Moo Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Oh, the joys of being a grandma!

47 of 65

48 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Mumsy

Mumsy
Credit: Southern Living

We love the British sound of this grandma's name.

48 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

49 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

NaiNai

NaiNai
Credit: Southern Living

NaiNai means grandmother in Mandarin. 

49 of 65

50 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nan

Nan
Credit: Southern Living

Going to Nan's house is always a treat for the kids. 

50 of 65

51 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nana

Nana Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Why not have a grandma name that rolls off the tongue?

51 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

52 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nannie

Nannie Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

"Nannie knows how to make anything taste delicious."

52 of 65

53 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nene

Nene Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Little ones love their repetition. 

53 of 65

54 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Noni

Noni Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

A variation in the spelling of "Nonna," "Nonni" means grandparents in Italian.

54 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

55 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Nonna

Nonna
Credit: Southern Living

An Italian Nonna will always spoil her grandbabies. 

55 of 65

56 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Oma

Oma
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Oma means grandmother in German and is also a popular Indonesian grandmother name.

56 of 65

57 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Queenie

Queenie
Credit: Southern Living

Fitting because grandmas are the queens of just about everything.

57 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

58 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Sassy

Sassy
Credit: Southern Living

Grandkids know not to mess around with Sassy, or she'll turn into her namesake.

58 of 65

59 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Sissy

Sissy
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Sissy is such an affectionate grandma name.

59 of 65

60 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Suga'

Suga' Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Straight from a Southern grandma's favorite phrase: "Come here darlin' and give me some Suga'."

60 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

61 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Sweets

Sweets Grandmother Name
Credit: Mary Elizabeth

With a name like Sweets, any grandma is sure to live up to her title. 

61 of 65

62 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Tootsie

Tootsie
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Grandmas are sweet like Tootsie Rolls.

62 of 65

63 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Tutu

Tutu
Credit: Southern Living

Tutu is a shortened version of the formal name for a grandma in Hawaiian. 

63 of 65

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

64 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Yaya

Yaya
Credit: Mary Elizabeth Davis

Yaya is the word for grandmother in Greek. 

64 of 65

65 of 65

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

YiaYia

YiaYia
Credit: Southern Living

YiaYia is another variation of the name for grandmother in Greek. 

65 of 65

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Southern Living Editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 65 Abba
    2 of 65 Abuela
    3 of 65 Amma
    4 of 65 Baba
    5 of 65 Babs
    6 of 65 Birdy
    7 of 65 Bomma
    8 of 65 Bubbe
    9 of 65 Bunny
    10 of 65 Cookie
    11 of 65 Darling
    12 of 65 Didi
    13 of 65 G
    14 of 65 Gaga
    15 of 65 GamGam
    16 of 65 Gamma
    17 of 65 Gammie
    18 of 65 Gan-Gan
    19 of 65 Gigi
    20 of 65 Glamma
    21 of 65 G-Ma
    22 of 65 GoGo
    23 of 65 Grammy
    24 of 65 Grams
    25 of 65 Gran
    26 of 65 Grandma
    27 of 65 Grandmama
    28 of 65 Grandmom
    29 of 65 Grandmother
    30 of 65 Grannie
    31 of 65 Honey
    32 of 65 Lala
    33 of 65 Lolly
    34 of 65 Lovie
    35 of 65 Ma
    36 of 65 Mamoo
    37 of 65 Marmi
    38 of 65 Mawmaw
    39 of 65 Mee
    40 of 65 Meems
    41 of 65 Memaw
    42 of 65 Memere
    43 of 65 Mimi
    44 of 65 Mimsy
    45 of 65 Mine
    46 of 65 Mom-Mom
    47 of 65 Moo
    48 of 65 Mumsy
    49 of 65 NaiNai
    50 of 65 Nan
    51 of 65 Nana
    52 of 65 Nannie
    53 of 65 Nene
    54 of 65 Noni
    55 of 65 Nonna
    56 of 65 Oma
    57 of 65 Queenie
    58 of 65 Sassy
    59 of 65 Sissy
    60 of 65 Suga'
    61 of 65 Sweets
    62 of 65 Tootsie
    63 of 65 Tutu
    64 of 65 Yaya
    65 of 65 YiaYia

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab