Choosing a grandma name is one of the sweetest parts of becoming a grandparent. Will she be Nana, Gigi, Mimi or something nobody else in the family has? Below you'll find 40+ grandma names grouped by style, with what each one means, tips for picking the right one, and ideas for putting her new name on a sweatshirt from our personalized Grandma, Nana, Gigi & Mimi gifts.
Quick answer
- Classic: Grandma, Granny, Grammy and Nana. See the Vintage Gingham Varsity Sweatshirt.
- Cute and modern: Gigi, Mimi, Lolly and Honey. See the Watch Them Blossom Sweatshirt.
- Southern favorites: Memaw, Mamaw and Maw Maw. See the Patchwork Nickname Sweatshirt.
- From her heritage: Abuela, Nonna, Lola and Yaya. See the Wildflower Family Title Tee.
How to choose a grandma name
Some grandmas pick their name before the baby arrives. Others let the first grandchild decide, and end up as "Mimi" because that's what a toddler could say. Either way, a few questions help:
- Is it easy for a little one to say? Short, repeated sounds (Nana, Gigi, Mimi, Lala) are usually the first to stick.
- Is it already taken? If the other grandma is already "Nana," pick something different so the grandkids can tell you apart.
- Does it feel like her? Classic, playful, Southern or a word from the family's first language: the right name sounds like the woman wearing it.
Classic grandma names
Timeless, instantly understood and never out of style.
| Name | Where it comes from / the feel |
|---|---|
| Grandma | The everyday American standard: warm, clear and loved by every generation. |
| Grandmother | The formal version. More common in writing than in what the grandkids actually call her. |
| Granny | Cozy and old-fashioned in the best way. |
| Gran | Short and a little British-sounding; popular in the UK, Ireland and Australia. |
| Grammy / Grammie | A friendly, upbeat spin on Grandma. |
| Gramma | How "Grandma" sounds when it's said quickly, written the way kids say it. |
| Grandmom | Common in parts of the U.S. Northeast, especially around Philadelphia. |
| Granna | A gentle mix of Grandma and Nana. |
| Nana | One of the best-known grandma names: simple, soft and easy for babies to say. |
| Nanny | A playful twist on Nana, heard in the UK and in plenty of American families. |
Cute and modern grandma names
Popular with younger grandmas and anyone who wants a name with a little sparkle.
| Name | Where it comes from / the feel |
|---|---|
| Gigi | Often explained as a playful take on the "G" in Grandma. Chic, fun and widely loved. |
| Mimi | Sweet and simple, and often the name a first grandchild comes up with on their own. |
| Meme / Mema | Close cousins of Mimi with a softer, Southern-leaning sound. |
| Gammy / Gammie / Gamma | How a lot of toddlers say "Grammy" or "Grandma" before they can manage the R. |
| Ganny | Another toddler-made version of Granny. |
| Lolly | Candy-sweet and cheerful. |
| Lala | Musical and easy for little mouths. |
| Honey | For the grandma who calls everyone "honey" and gets the name back. |
| Nene | Soft, short and baby-friendly. |
Southern grandma names
Names you'll hear on front porches from Texas to the Carolinas.
| Name | Where it comes from / the feel |
|---|---|
| Memaw | A Southern classic, warm and a little bit sassy. |
| Mamaw | Just as Southern as Memaw; which one you hear often depends on the family. |
| Maw Maw / Maw | Old-school Southern, often handed down from the generation before. |
Grandma names from around the world
A beautiful way to keep the family's language and roots in everyday life.
| Name | Where it comes from / the feel |
|---|---|
| Abuela / Abuelita | Spanish for grandmother; "Abuelita" is the extra-affectionate form. |
| Nonna | Italian for grandmother. |
| Nona / Nonni | Family spellings of Nonna used in many Italian-American homes. |
| Lola | Filipino (Tagalog) for grandmother. |
| Yaya | From the Greek yiayia, grandmother. |
| Oma | Grandma in German and Dutch. |
| Bubbe | Yiddish for grandmother. |
| Babcia | Polish for grandma. |
| Baba | Grandma in Ukrainian, Russian and other Slavic languages. |
| Savta | Hebrew for grandmother. |
| Teta | Grandma in Lebanese and other Levantine Arabic. |
| Mamie | An affectionate French name for grandma. |
| Vovó | Portuguese for grandma, used especially in Brazil. |
| Halmoni | Korean for grandmother (also spelled Halmeoni). |
| Nani | Hindi and Urdu for your mother's mother. |
| Popo | Cantonese for your mother's mother. |
| Tutu | Hawaiian for grandparent. |
| Bà | Vietnamese for grandmother. |
Love a name that isn't printed on the list? On designs with a Custom option you can type it exactly as your family spells it. Check the spelling (and any accent marks) before checkout, because every piece is printed just for her.
6 sweatshirts and tees that put her grandma name front and center
Each design below prints one name as the main artwork. Pick her name, then choose a style (sweatshirt, tee or hoodie), color and size from S to 3XL.
1. Vintage Gingham Varsity Sweatshirt
Her name in collegiate varsity letters with a cozy tan-and-cream gingham fill. Choose from more than 30 ready-made names, from Grandma and Nana to Memaw, Lola and Nonna, or type a custom name.
Best for: announcing a brand-new grandma name.
Personalize the Gingham Varsity sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $27.99 · Tee from $16.99
2. Watch Them Blossom Floral Sweatshirt
Hand-drawn white floral doodles with the phrases "love them big," "watch them blossom," "spoil them sweet" and "cherish every moment" around her name. The name list runs from Gigi and Mimi to Yaya, plus a custom option.
Best for: the grandma with a garden and a soft spot for cottagecore.
Personalize the Watch Them Blossom sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $27.99 · Tee from $16.99
3. Floral Happiness Family Title Sweatshirt
A handwritten-style happiness phrase sits above one big family title in colorful floral and patterned block letters. Works for Grammy, Gigi, Abuela, Honey and many more, or your own wording.
Best for: a cheerful everyday sweatshirt she'll wear to every family visit.
Personalize the Floral Happiness sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $27.99 · Tee from $16.99
4. Patchwork Nickname Sweatshirt
Applique-style patchwork letters that mix florals, gingham, ticking stripes and little bows in a soft cottage palette. Choose from more than 30 ready-made names, including Memaw, Mamaw, Mawmaw, Granna and Nene.
Best for: Southern grandmas and anyone who loves a handmade quilt look.
Personalize the Patchwork sweatshirt → Sweatshirt from $27.99 · Tee from $16.99
5. Wildflower Family Title Tee
A vintage-inspired wildflower bouquet above her title in bold retro bubble letters. Ready-made names include Nonna, Gigi, Grandma, Grammy, Mimi and Nana, or type a custom title.
Best for: a spring-to-fall tee, or a sweatshirt version for cooler days.
Personalize the Wildflower tee → Tee from $22.99 · Sweatshirt from $27.99
6. Floral Doodle Nickname Tee
Soft botanical doodles and small framed text accents around one big nickname. It has one of our widest name lists: Abuela, Nani, Nona, Nonna, Yaya, Lala, Mawmaw, Memaw and more.
Best for: honoring her heritage with the name the family really uses.
Personalize the Floral Doodle tee → Tee from $22.99 · Sweatshirt from $27.99
Sweatshirt, tee or hoodie?
Every design comes in three styles. Starting prices for sizes S–XL:
| Style | From | Choose it if… |
|---|---|---|
| Crewneck sweatshirt | $27.99 | She wants a cozy layer for fall and winter. |
| Hoodie | $33.99 | She likes extra warmth and a relaxed fit. |
| T-shirt | $16.99 ($22.99 on the two tees above) | She lives somewhere warm, or you want matching tees for a family photo. |
How to pick the right size
- Order her usual size for a classic fit, or one size up for a relaxed, oversized look.
- Compare a sweatshirt she already loves with our Size Guide.
- Sizes run from S to 3XL on these designs.
When to order for Christmas
A sweatshirt with her grandma name makes a sweet Christmas gift, and an even sweeter way to reveal a new name. Each piece is printed to order in the USA: printing takes 1–2 business days, then delivery takes 3–10 business days, and most orders arrive within 4–12 business days. To be safe, order by early December, and earlier if you're shipping to more than one address. Orders of $99 or more ship free.
FAQ
What is the most popular grandma name?
There is no official count, but Grandma and Nana are the names most people recognize instantly, and Gigi and Mimi are favorites with many younger grandmas.
Can a grandma choose her own name?
Absolutely. Many grandmas pick a name before the baby arrives and share it with the family early, so everyone uses it from day one. Others wait and let the first grandchild decide.
Can I put a name that isn't on the list on a sweatshirt?
Yes, on designs with a Custom option (cards 1, 2, 3 and 5 above). Type the name exactly as it should print.
What's a good way to reveal a new grandma name?
Gift her a sweatshirt with her new name on it, or have the parents-to-be wear the family names in a photo. It's a keepsake she can wear long after the big moment.
Related guide: Christmas Gifts for Grandma: Personalized Nana, Gigi & Mimi Sweatshirts
Whatever she's called, put it front and center.
Shop all personalized Grandma gifts → · Gifts for grandparents
