You are picking a grandparent nickname, making a family sign, putting together a school project, or just getting curious about what families in other parts of the world say at home. Then you realize there is a whole universe beyond Grandma and Grandpa. Some names sound formal. Some are soft and playful. Some even change depending on whether the grandparent is from the mother’s side or father’s side.
That is what makes this topic so interesting. These are not just translations. They are little snapshots of family culture.
A quick note before the list
Not every language has one single word that every family uses in exactly the same way. Some families prefer formal terms. Others use affectionate nicknames. In some cultures, the words for grandparents are more specific than English and tell you which side of the family the grandparent comes from.
So think of this list as a strong, useful starting point, not the only version a family might use.
Grandparents in different languages
1. Spanish
- Grandmother: Abuela
- Grandfather: Abuelo
Short family versions like “Abu” are also common in some homes.
2. French
- Grandmother: Grand-mère
- Grandfather: Grand-père
Many families also use softer nicknames like Mamie and Papy.
3. Italian
- Grandmother: Nonna
- Grandfather: Nonno
These are some of the most loved and widely recognized grandparent names anywhere.
4. German
- Grandmother: Oma
- Grandfather: Opa
Short, warm, and easy to remember.
5. Portuguese
- Grandmother: Avó
- Grandfather: Avô
In some families, affectionate forms like Vóvó and Vôvô are also common.
6. Russian
- Grandmother: Babushka
- Grandfather: Dedushka
These have a very strong family feel and are instantly recognizable to many people.
7. Greek
- Grandmother: Yaya or Yia Yia
- Grandfather: Papou
Spellings can vary a little when written in English letters.
8. Hebrew
- Grandmother: Savta
- Grandfather: Saba
These are simple, distinctive, and easy to say.
9. Yiddish
- Grandmother: Bubbie
- Grandfather: Zadie
These names feel especially warm and affectionate.
10. Polish
- Grandmother: Babcia
- Grandfather: Dziadek
These can look tricky at first, but they have a lovely sound once you hear them.
11. Dutch
- Grandmother: Oma
- Grandfather: Opa
The same pair appears in both Dutch and German, which makes them easy to remember.
12. Danish
- Grandmother: Mormor
- Grandfather: Bedstefar
Danish family naming can be more specific depending on side of the family.
13. Swedish
- Maternal grandmother: Mormor
- Maternal grandfather: Morfar
- Paternal grandmother: Farmor
- Paternal grandfather: Farfar
This is one of the neatest systems because the family side is built right into the word.
14. Norwegian
- Grandmother: Bestemor
- Grandfather: Bestefar
Clean, clear, and fairly easy for English speakers to pronounce.
15. Irish
- Grandmother: Mhamó or Maimeó
- Grandfather: Seanathair or Daideó
Irish family usage can vary, so you may see more than one pair listed.
16. Welsh
- Grandmother: Mam-gu or Nain
- Grandfather: Tad-cu or Taid
Regional preferences matter here, especially for grandmother names.
17. Afrikaans
- Grandmother: Ouma
- Grandfather: Oupa
These are simple and affectionate, and they tend to stick in your memory.
18. Romanian
- Grandmother: Bunică
- Grandfather: Bunic
Straightforward and elegant.
19. Hungarian
- Grandmother: Nagymama
- Grandfather: Nagypapa
A bit longer than some others, but still easy to understand once you see the pattern.
20. Czech
- Grandmother: Babička
- Grandfather: Dědeček
These have a gentle, storybook-like sound.
21. Ukrainian
- Grandmother: Baba
- Grandfather: Didus or Dido
Different families may prefer slightly different forms.
22. Serbian or Croatian
- Grandmother: Baka
- Grandfather: Deda
Short, clear, and easy to say.
23. Arabic
- Grandmother: Jadda
- Grandfather: Jadd
Family use can vary by region and dialect, but these are widely recognized forms.
24. Turkish
- Grandmother: Büyükanne or Anneanne
- Grandfather: Büyükbaba or Dede
Turkish often gets more specific depending on which side of the family the grandparent is from.
25. Mandarin Chinese
- Paternal grandmother: Nainai
- Paternal grandfather: Yeye
- Maternal grandmother: Laolao
- Maternal grandfather: Laoye
This is one of the clearest examples of a language that distinguishes family side in everyday naming.
26. Cantonese
- Grandmother: Po Po
- Grandfather: Yeh Yeh or Gong Gong
Usage can vary depending on family tradition and romanization.
27. Japanese
- Grandmother: Obaachan
- Grandfather: Ojiichan
These are some of the best-known family forms in Japanese.
28. Korean
- Grandmother: Halmeoni
- Grandfather: Hal-abeoji
These are the standard general terms, though family nicknames may be shorter.
29. Hindi
- Grandmother: Nani or Dadi
- Grandfather: Nana or Dada
Hindi often distinguishes maternal and paternal grandparents, which makes it more specific than English.
30. Bengali
- Grandmother: Dida
- Grandfather: Dadu
These are sweet, memorable, and easy for children to say.
31. Punjabi
- Grandmother: Nani or Dadi
- Grandfather: Nana or Dada
Like Hindi, Punjabi often marks the family side clearly.
32. Filipino
- Grandmother: Lola
- Grandfather: Lolo
These are simple, affectionate, and widely loved.
33. Vietnamese
- Grandmother: Bà
- Grandfather: Ông
In real family life, Vietnamese kinship naming can become more specific depending on relationship and age.
34. Thai
- Grandmother: Yaa or Khun Yaa
- Grandfather: Dtaa or Khun Dtaa
Thai can also distinguish side of the family in naming.
35. Swahili
- Grandmother: Bibi
- Grandfather: Babu
These are clean, rhythmic, and easy to remember.
36. Hawaiian
- Grandmother: Tutu
- Grandfather: Tutu Kane
Tutu is one of the sweetest grandparent names anywhere.
37. Maori
- Grandmother: Kuia
- Grandfather: Koroua
These names carry a lot of cultural meaning as well as family warmth.
38. Lithuanian
- Grandmother: Močiutė
- Grandfather: Senelis
These are less widely known, but worth including in a broad list.
39. Finnish
- Grandmother: Isoäiti or Mummo
- Grandfather: Isoisä or Ukki
Finnish includes both formal and affectionate options.
40. American English family variants
- Grandmother: Grandma, Nana, Gran, Grammy
- Grandfather: Grandpa, Papa, Gramps, Pop
Even English itself has more variation than people sometimes expect.
Languages that distinguish maternal and paternal grandparents
One of the most interesting things about this topic is that many languages are more precise than English. English usually stops at Grandma and Grandpa unless a family creates its own nickname. But languages like Mandarin, Hindi, Punjabi, Swedish, and Turkish often tell you right in the word whether the grandparent is on the mother’s side or father’s side.
That adds a whole extra layer of meaning. You are not just saying “grandma.” You are saying which grandma.
The easiest grandparent names to remember
If you want a short list of warm, easy, memorable options, these are great ones to start with:
- Nonna and Nonno
- Oma and Opa
- Lola and Lolo
- Yaya and Papou
- Savta and Saba
- Babushka and Dedushka
- Nainai and Yeye
- Obaachan and Ojiichan
These tend to stick because they are rhythmic, affectionate, and strongly tied to family life.
How to choose one for real life
If you are choosing a grandparent name for your own family, the best option is not always the most formal or most textbook-perfect one. Usually, the best choice is the one that feels natural, fits the family’s background, and sounds comfortable coming from a child.
That is why many families end up with a slightly softened version of the original word. Children often shape the final nickname without even meaning to.
Personally, I think the best grandparent names are the ones that feel easy to say with affection. That matters more than strict perfection.
