55 Unique Grandfather Names to Consider (2024)

Just found out you’re about to become a grandfather? Congratulations! You’re probably already looking forward to cuddles, kisses and hearing them say your name for the first time. But before that special moment happens, you’ve got a big decision to make: what grandfather name will you go by? While “Grandpa” is always an option, these days many men are picking more unique grandfather names for their newest role in life. Need help brainstorming some ideas? Keep reading for some pretty cool grandfather names that fit every bill, whether you’re looking for something classic or totally original.

In this article:
What to consider when choosing a grandfather name
Traditional grandfather names
Southern grandfather names
Unique grandfather names
Grandfather names in other languages

What to Consider When Choosing a Grandfather Name

There are a few things to take into account before settling on your grandfather name. What moniker best fits your personality? Is there a family name you’d like to stick with? Possibly a regional favorite? Maybe you want a grandfather name from a different language to celebrate your family’s cultural heritage? Is there a grandfather name that would mesh particularly well with your partner’s name of choice? With so many considerations at your fingertips, remember: The best names for grandfather are often ones that hold a special meaning for you and your loved ones.

Another factor to take into account is baby’s pronunciation! What’s a name for grandfather that will be easy to say? Young children are well-known for putting their own adorable spin on common words, and it’s to be expected they’ll do the same with your grandfather name. They may even evolve it into a different name entirely. The bottom line? Don’t stress too much about it, and go with the name you’re most excited about and feel best suits your new role.

Related Video

Traditional Grandfather Names

Some of the best names for grandfather can be tried-and-true classics. But even those titles that have been around for decades can easily be tweaked to align with your taste. For example, if you love “Grandpa” but are looking for ways to make it your own, you might change it to “Gramps” or even “Grampy.” Below, some traditional grandfather names worth considering.

  • Grandfather
  • Granddad
  • Grandpa
  • Grampa
  • Gramps
  • Grampie
  • Poppy
  • Pop
  • Pops
  • Pop Pop

Southern Grandfather Names

The American South is known for having its own distinctive traditions—and that extends to grandparent names. Just as “Meemaw” is the most common grandmother name in the South, there are several popular options for southern grandfather names. Check out some of the most common ones and their variations below.

  • Pawpaw (Papaw)
  • Paw
  • Papa
  • Grandpapa
  • Grandpaw
  • Granddaddy
  • Big Daddy
  • Grandpappy
  • Pappy
  • Paps
  • Grandpop
  • Gamps

Unique Grandfather Names

There’s something to be said for originality—and that extends to grandfather names. The trend is especially popular among celebrities: Lionel Richie goes by “G-Pa,” Martin Sheen goes by “Peach,” former president George W. Bush goes by “Jefe” and Cedric the Entertainer goes by “Popci.” When it comes to getting creative, the sky is truly the limit. If you’re looking for some cool grandfather names, peruse the choices below.

  • Gumpy
  • Geepa (G-Pa)
  • Popsi (Popci)
  • Pepe
  • Buddy
  • Buzz
  • Bubba
  • Kip
  • Skip
  • Dodo

Grandfather Names in Other Language

While searching for inspiration, you may look to other cultures. Each language has its own unique grandfather name, and sometimes even multiple based on whether the title refers to a maternal or paternal grandparent. Looking to honor your heritage or simply curious about cool grandfather names in other languages? Take a peek at the ones below.

-Afrikkans: In Afrikaans, one of South Africa’s official languages, the word for grandfather is “Oupa.”

-Arabic: Though Arabic has many different dialects, a common Arabic name for grandfather is “Jaddi.” In Palestine, grandfather is known as “Seedo.”

-Cantonese Chinese: In Cantonese, grandfather names are classified as paternal or maternal. The paternal grandfather is known as “Je Je” or “Ye Ye,” while the maternal grandfather is called “Gung Gung.”

-Creole: The Haitian Creole name for grandfather is “Gran-papa.”

-Filipino: In Filipino, the name for grandfather is “Lolo.”

-French: French grandfather names include “Grand-père,” “Grand-papa” and “Pépère.”

-German: The formal German grandfather name is “Grossvater” (or “Großvater”), but the informal version is “Opa.”

-Greek: In Greek, grandfathers are called “Pappous,” also spelled as “Papou.”

-Hawaiian: In Hawaiian, grandfathers are formally known as “Kupuna Kane,” but many Hawaiians use the informal “Tutu Kane.”

-Hebrew: The most common Jewish grandfather name in Hebrew is “Saba.”

-Hindi: In Hindi, the paternal grandfather is called “Dada” or “Baba” and the maternal grandfather is called “Nana.”

-Indonesian: The Indonesian word for grandfather is “Kakek.”

-Irish: In Gaelic, grandfather is “Seanathair,” which means “old father,” but other popular Irish grandfather names are “Daideó” and “Athair Críonna.” Most English-speaking children call their grandfathers “Grandad” or “Granda.”

-Italian: When it comes to Italian grandfather names, the most common is “Nonno.”

-Japanese: In Japanese, “Ojiisan,” is the name for grandfather, but it’s often shortened to “Jiji.” Informally, grandfathers can also be called “Sofu.”

-Korean: In Korean, grandfather is “Haraboji” or “Halabeoji.”

-Māori: Te reo Māori is the language spoken by the indigenous Eastern Polynesian people of New Zealand. The Māori name for grandfather is “Tupuna,” which means “grandparent” or “ancestor.” However, “Tipuna,” “Koroua” and “Koro” are also used.

-Mandarin Chinese: In Mandarin, the formal name for paternal grandfathers is “Zu fu,” while “Ye Ye” is also commonly used. The formal name for maternal grandfather is “Wai zu fu,” while “Lao ye” is also used in Northern China and “Wai gong” is used in Southern China.

-Polish: The Polish grandfather name is “Dziadek,” but variations include “Dziadzio” and “Dziadzia.” Other variations common in Polish-American culture are “Jaja” or “Jaji.”

-Russian: In Russian, grandfathers are known as “Dedushka.”

-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.”

-Swahili: In Swahili, which is the official language of Tanzania and Kenya but widely spoken in other parts of Africa, the grandfather name is “Babu.”

-Yiddish: In Yiddish, grandfathers are known as “Zaide.” Common spelling variations include “Zayde” “Zaydeh” and “Zaydee.”

Plus, more from The Bump:

55 Unique Grandfather Names to Consider (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular name for grandfather? ›

And these are the top ten most popular nicknames for grandpas:
  • Papa.
  • Pop or Pop-pop.
  • Pawpaw.
  • Granddad.
  • Papaw.
  • Grampy.
  • Poppy.
  • Grandfather.
Dec 10, 2019

What do you call your grandfather answer? ›

Numerous other variants exist, such as Gramp, Gramps, Grampa, Grandpap, Granda, Grampy, Granddad, Granddaddy, Grandpappy, Pop(s), Pap, Papa, Pappy, and Pawpaw for grandfather; Grandmom, Grandmama, Grama, Granny, Gran, Nanny, Nan(a), Mammaw, Meemaw and Grammy for grandmother.

What are classic grandma names? ›

Traditional Grandma Names
  • Gammy or Gamma or Gams.
  • Gram or Grams.
  • Gramma.
  • Grammy or Grammie.
  • Grandma or Grandmaw.
  • Grandmama.
  • Grandmom.
  • Grandmother.
Dec 24, 2022

What do kids call their grandpa? ›

Papa. Pop/Pop-Pop. Pawpaw. Granddad.

What is short form of grandfather? ›

Grandpa is perhaps the most common variant of the word grandfather, but there are many others, including gramps, grampa, grandpop, grandpapa, and grandpappy.

What is the British name for grandpa? ›

For grandfathers the most popular name nationwide by far is Grandad (68%) - with over two thirds using this name. It is favoured in the north with the majority of grandfathers in Sheffield alone (96%) being known as a Grandad. In contrast only one in five Brits opts to use Grandpa (22%).

Who is great great grandfather? ›

The father of someone's great-grandparent.

Who is known as grandfather? ›

countable noun. Your grandfather is the father of your father or mother. You can call your grandfather 'Grandfather'. His grandfather was a professor. Synonyms: grandad, grandpa, grandaddy, gramps More Synonyms of grandfather.

How many types of grandfather are there? ›

There are 7 different 'types' of grandpas: Which one is your dad or FIL? As the increase in 'greycare' sees more grandkids spending time with their beloved grandparents, it's become more apparent than ever that there are some distinctive 'types' out there.

What names were popular 100 years ago? ›

A century ago, the most popular names for boys were classic choices John, William, and James. For girls, it was Mary, Helen, and Dorothy. These names continued to stay at the top of the charts for years to come. The top names — John, William, James, Mary, Helen, and Dorothy — didn't budge the following year.

What are some cool rare names? ›

40 Uncommon Baby Names to Help Your Son or Daughter Stand Out from the Crowd
  • Jago. For a boy. It clocks in at #1 on the most uncommon names for boys, according to Bounty.
  • Khaleesi. For a girl. ...
  • Massimo. For a boy. ...
  • Darius. For a boy. ...
  • Paityn. For a girl. ...
  • Xander. For a boy. ...
  • Quinn. For a girl or boy. ...
  • Fatima. For a girl.
May 26, 2021

What is another name for a grandpa? ›

synonyms for grandpa
  • ancestor.
  • patriarch.
  • elder.
  • forefather.
  • gramps.
  • granddad.
  • granddaddy.
  • pap.

How can I be a cool grandpa? ›

10 ways to be a fabulous grandparent
  1. Ask rather than answer.
  2. Get silly.
  3. Beware grandparent rivalry.
  4. Be mellow about mess.
  5. Do things, don't just give things.
  6. Don't be a burden.
  7. Avoid playing favorites.
  8. Take the lead.

What is the greatest grandparent? ›

A great-grandparent is the parent of a person's grandparent (the grandparent of a person's parent). When a parent's child has children, that parent becomes a grandparent. When those children have children, the grandparent becomes a great-grandparent. Great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers are great-grandparents.

What is a Southern name for grandma? ›

Let's start with Southern grandparent names. The most common grandmother names seem to be Grandma and Gramma, sometimes with a "w" attached to create Grandmaw and Grammaw. Another popular choice is Mawmaw or Meemaw, sometimes spelled MawMaw or MeeMaw. You may also hear such colorful variations as Big Mama and Two-Mama.

What do Irish call their grandparents? ›

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.”

What should my grandkids call me? ›

Traditional Grandparent Names

The most common pairings are Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Papa, and their variations. A few alternatives for Grandma include Grammy, Gamma, G-Ma, Granny, and Nanna. Grandfather may be shortened to Grampa, Gramps, G-Pa, Poppy or Pops.

How do you say grandpa in italian? ›

The most common way to say grandpa or grandfather in Italian is nonno (plural: nonni which can mean either grandpas or grandparents). Your paternal grandfather is your nonno paterno whereas your maternal grandfather is your nonno materno.

How do you say grandpa in German? ›

In short, you would say Opa. (Der) Opa, the grandpa, is a masculine singular noun. The plural would be (die) Opas.

What are old people names? ›

Old People Names
  • Harold.
  • Beatrice.
  • Archie.
  • Jane.
  • Frederick.
  • Norma.
  • Jesse.
  • Roxanne.
Dec 11, 2022

What can my grandkids call me besides grandma? ›

Perhaps she wants a new sweet and sassy nickname for grandma that the little ones can call her without reminding her how far she's come in life.
...
50 Grandma Names
  • Memaw. This unique name for grandma is popular in the southern United States!
  • Nanny. ...
  • Nonna. ...
  • Bubbe. ...
  • Abuela. ...
  • Glamma. ...
  • Lovey. ...
  • Lola.
Sep 21, 2022

What do British call their grandparents? ›

Most common in England are probably: gran'dad and gramma, grandpa and Grammy, grand papa and grand mama, gramps and gran. In Wales add taid and nain in the north, and tadgu and mamgu in the south.

What is grandfather in Scottish? ›

-Scottish: In Scottish Gaelic, the word for grandpa is “Seanair,” but other commonly used Scottish grandfather names include “Grandad” and “Grandpa.”

What is grandpa Indian? ›

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.

What is grandpa in Australian? ›

Australia

Language: English. Grandma: Grandma, Nanna, Nana. Grandpa: Grandad, Pop.

What is grandfather called in USA? ›

Papa, the most common nickname in 36 states, took the top spot. Southerners are more likely to use Papaw or Pawpaw and those in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware tend to go for Pop or Pop Pop. Other favorites include Abuelo or Abuelito, Gramps, Grampy, Poppy, and Grandad.

What do the French call their grandparents? ›

Mamie et papi are probably the most common ways to address grandparents in France. There are other affectionate nicknames such as mémé and pépé, but they're a bit rarer, and then there are those grandparents who prefer the less informal options.

What is a grandpa quote? ›

A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart.” “Grandfathers are for loving and fixing things.” “Grandpa has ears that truly listen, arms that always hold, love that's never-ending, and a heart that's made of gold.” “A grandfather is someone you can look up to no matter how tall you grow.”

How many ancestors in 50 generations? ›

In other words, our ancestors increase exponentially the further back we look. About 20 generations (about 400 years), ago we each have about a million ancestors - and after that the numbers start to get even sillier. Forty generations ago (800 years) gives us one trillion ancestors, and fifty gives one quadrillion.

How many 10 great-grandparents are there? ›

Number of Grandparents
Generation #RelationshipAccumulated Total
108 X Great grandparents2,046
119 X Great grandparents4,094
1210 X Great grandparents8,190
1311 X Great grandparents16,382
13 more rows

Why do we say grandfather? ›

grandfather (n.) early 15c., from grand- + father (n.), probably on analogy of French grand-père. Replaced grandsire and Old English ealdefæder. Grandfather clause originally (1899) referred to exemptions from post-Reconstruction voting restrictions (literacy, property tax) in the U.S.

Is grandfather one word or two? ›

The word 'grandfather' is a compound word because it is the combination of two root or base words: 'grand' and 'father.

What age is a great grandfather? ›

The average age of great-grandparents today is 75, but many of us don't look (or act) our age. Yes, there may likely be snow on the mountain, but there's still fire in the furnace. Many of us married in our teens and early twenties and began having families shortly thereafter.

How old are grandfathers? ›

The average age of becoming a grandparent is 50 years for women and a couple of years older for men. Today's grandparents may range in age from 30 to 110, and grandchildren range from newborns to retirees. Most grandparents have multiple (5 to 6 on average) grandchildren.

What is the age of a grandfather? ›

The average age of becoming a grandparent is 50, although many individuals become grandparents even earlier, perhaps even in their 30s.

What is an old grandpa name? ›

Along with Henry and Samuel, other Old Man Names in the US Top 500 include Arthur, Cyrus, Theodore, Otto, Silas, Harvey, Victor, and Frederick. Old man names more common in the UK than in the US include Albert, Ralph, Stanley, and Wilfred.

What do British call their grandfather? ›

For grandfathers the most popular name nationwide by far is Grandad (68%) - with over two thirds using this name. It is favoured in the north with the majority of grandfathers in Sheffield alone (96%) being known as a Grandad. In contrast only one in five Brits opts to use Grandpa (22%).

What did Vikings call their grandfather? ›

afi (noun m.) 'grandfather, man'

What is the best male name? ›

These are currently the most popular baby names for boys.
  • Oliver.
  • Elijah.
  • James.
  • William.
  • Benjamin.
  • Lucas.
  • Henry.
  • Theodore.
Dec 19, 2022

What are old male names? ›

The following are the most popular old-fashioned boy names in the United States in 2020.
  • Noah. Coming from ancient Hebrew, Noah means “rest” and “repose.” ...
  • Oliver. ...
  • Elijah. ...
  • Benjamin. ...
  • Lucas. ...
  • Henry. ...
  • Alexander. ...
  • Ethan.
Nov 8, 2021

What is grandpa short for? ›

Grandpa is perhaps the most common variant of the word grandfather, but there are many others, including gramps, grampa, grandpop, grandpapa, and grandpappy. Many families have their own specific version, such as Pop-Pop, Poppy, and Pa Pa.

What is grandfather in Italy? ›

The most common way to say grandpa or grandfather in Italian is nonno (plural: nonni which can mean either grandpas or grandparents). Your paternal grandfather is your nonno paterno whereas your maternal grandfather is your nonno materno.

What do Irish call grandparents? ›

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.”

What do Scottish people call their grandparents? ›

-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.”

What do French people call their grandparents? ›

France. The lyrical language of France is apparent in the way children refer to their grandparents, “grand-mère” is grandma, and “grand-père” is grandpa. “Mamie” has become a popular modern update for grandmother.

What is the Cherokee name for grandfather? ›

Agiduda

What is Swedish for grandpa? ›

In the Swedish language, the maternal grandparents are "mormor" for grandmother and "morfar" for grandfather. Paternal grandparents are "farmor" for grandmother, and "farfar," for grandfather.

What is a grandfather called in Ireland? ›

Words for Grandfather

The Irish word for grandfather is seanáthair, literally meaning "old father." Children would not be likely to address a grandfather by this term. They would use instead daideó, approximately pronounced DADJ-yoh, or móraí, which is approximately pronounced MO-ree.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 6748

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.