65 Of Our Favorite Southern Grandma Names And Nicknames

grandma names, grandmother
Photo: 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.

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Abba

Abba
Southern Living

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

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Abuela

Abuela
Southern Living

Abuela and Abuelita are common Spanish grandmother names.

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Amma

Amma

Amma is a shortened version of "Gamma."

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Baba

Baba
Southern Living

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

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Babs

Babs, grandma names
Getty Images

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

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Birdy

Birdy
Southern Living

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

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Bomma

Bomma
Southern Living

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

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Bubbe

Bubbe
Southern Living

"Bubbeh" is the Yiddish word for grandmother.

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Bunny

Bunny Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

Some "Bunny" loves you!

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Cookie

Cookie Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

A sweet grandma name for a lovely season of life!

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Darling

Darling Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Didi

Grandma Names (3)

Didi could be a nickname for Diana or Deborah.

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G

G
Southern Living

Simple but effective.

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Gaga

Gaga Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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GamGam

GamGam Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

Who doesn't love alliteration?

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Gamma

Gamma Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Gammie

Gammie Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Gan-Gan

Grandma Names

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

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Gigi

Gigi Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

This popular grandma name is just too cute.

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Glamma

Glamma
Southern Living

Glamma because you're a glamorous Southern grandma.

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G-Ma

G-Ma
Southern Living

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

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GoGo

GoGo
Southern Living

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

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Grammy

Grammy Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Grams

Grams
Southern Living

Grams and Pops–the sweetest grandparent name combination!

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Gran

Gran Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Grandma

Grandma
Mary Elizabeth Davis

The go-to name for generations.

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Grandmama

Grandmama Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

Grandmamas make the world go round.

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Grandmom

Grandmom
Southern Living

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

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Grandmother

Grandmother
Southern Living

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

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Grannie

Grannie
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Honey

Honey
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Lala

Lala
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Lolly

Lolly
Southern Living

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

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Lovie

Lovie Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

All of the best hugs and kisses come from Lovie!

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Ma

Ma
Southern Living

Short and sweet!

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Mamoo

Mamoo
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Marmi

Marmi
Southern Living

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

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Mawmaw

Mawmaw Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Mee

Grandma Names

Like Grammie, but shortened for ease.

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Meems

Meems
Southern Living

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

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Memaw

Memaw Grandmother Name Image
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Memere

Memere
Southern Living

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

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Mimi

Mimi Grandmother Name Image
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Mimsy

Mimsy
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!

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Mine

Mine Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Mom-Mom

Grandma Names (2)

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

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Moo

Moo Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

Oh, the joys of being a grandma!

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Mumsy

Mumsy
Southern Living

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

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NaiNai

NaiNai
Southern Living

NaiNai means grandmother in Mandarin.

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Nan

Nan
Southern Living

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

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Nana

Nana Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Nannie

Nannie Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

"Nannie knows how to make anything taste delicious."

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Nene

Nene Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

Little ones love their repetition.

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Noni

Noni Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Nonna

Nonna
Southern Living

An Italian Nonna will always spoil her grandbabies.

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Oma

Oma
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Queenie

Queenie
Southern Living

Fitting because grandmas are the queens of just about everything.

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Sassy

Sassy
Southern Living

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

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Sissy

Sissy
Mary Elizabeth Davis

Sissy is such an affectionate grandma name.

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Suga'

Suga' Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth Davis

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

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Sweets

Sweets Grandmother Name
Mary Elizabeth

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

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Tootsie

Tootsie
Mary Elizabeth Davis

Grandmas are sweet like Tootsie Rolls.

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Tutu

Tutu
Southern Living

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

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Yaya

Yaya
Mary Elizabeth Davis

Yaya is the word for grandmother in Greek.

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YiaYia

YiaYia
Southern Living

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

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