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tortilla5
Guest
I’m in the south and the most common name here is Papaw. I like this term a lot and everyone knows who Papaw is, Grandpa! 
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pensmama87
Guest
Of course you’re entitled to your opinion, but there are big cultural differences in how families use nicknames (whether for grandparents or others). And as many previous posters mentioned, sometimes the “alternative” names come from ethnic heritage. The names themselves actually mean “Grandma” and “Grandpa,” they’re just a different language.
(Even if in English, the name would be most closely identified with “mother” or “father.”)I don’t think people use nicknames to be exclusionary. It’s just a part of family culture or it isn’t. And explanations can be given ("Little Johnny calls me ‘Gigi,’ or “‘Papaw’ is what our family has always called grandfathers.”)
Personally, I found saying “Grandma/Grandpa Lastname” to be too stiff and formal. But that describes my family culture pretty much to a T.
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John_Lazarus
Guest
As others have said, depends on the culture.
In mine (Newfoundland), “Nanny” or “Nan” is extremely common for one’s grandmother – all of my family and friends that I know of call(ed) their grandmother’s either “Nanny” or “Nan”. And from what I have read, “Poppy” and “Pop” are extremely common for one’s grandfather.
The exclusive forms of address for one’s parents seem to be “Mom/Mommy” and “Dad/Daddy”. So not a lot of chance for a misunderstanding.
As opposed to the Southern US thing of calling an elder married woman “Miss Something”.
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Aggie414
Guest
In my family it didn’t matter what you thought you were going to be called – the first grandchild dictated My stepdad was going to be poppy, but my oldest niece called him pappa from the beginning and it stuck.
My stepdad was going to be poppy, but my oldest niece called him pappa from the beginning and it stuck.
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UnCatholicBride
Guest
I had Ba and G-dad (prodounced gee-dad) on my mom’s side. That one came from my mom always referring to her mom as “Ma” and I picked up “Ba” from it. And we rocked that name until she died when I was in middle school.
My Dad’s mom was Grammy (last initial).
In my social groups, the grandads go by Poppy, Pappy, Pop-Pop, Grandad, Grandy, Papa, and Opa. And those are the grandparents of my friends who are all in their late 20’s/early 30’s and still use those names to refer to their grandfathers.
My Dad’s mom was Grammy (last initial).
In my social groups, the grandads go by Poppy, Pappy, Pop-Pop, Grandad, Grandy, Papa, and Opa. And those are the grandparents of my friends who are all in their late 20’s/early 30’s and still use those names to refer to their grandfathers.
Mary_Gail_36
New member
When I was little I would watch Bewitched, and thought that Tabitha sounded so wonderful calling her grandparents (Endora and Maurice) Grandmama and Grandpapa.
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Richard_White
Guest
My maternal grandfather I call Papa, and my maternal grandmother had passed away before I was born. My paternal grandfather I simply called Grandpa, and my maternal grandmother I called Nana.
May God bless you all this Easter season and always!
May God bless you all this Easter season and always!
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Matt_Collins
Guest
We called one of my grandfathers Pop Pops and the other one Grampa.
My kids called both of their grandfathers Pa. One was pronounced Paw and the other was pronounced Pah.
When I have grandkids I’m considering having them call me Caesar.
My kids called both of their grandfathers Pa. One was pronounced Paw and the other was pronounced Pah.
When I have grandkids I’m considering having them call me Caesar.
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mafh
Guest
My late grandfather-in-law was called Pappap. He was one of the kindest and gentlest men I’ve ever met – really the ideal grandfather. I really miss him. 
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schaeffer
Guest
My take on this is how hard can it be? I don’t refer to my kids as “Daughter Grace”, “Son Richard”, or to my grandson as “Grandson Michael” etc to make sure they and everyone else understands the exact nature of the relationship.
When someone new comes on the scene I will say “This is my grandson Michael” or he will say “This is my grandma Nanny” or “my great grandpa D-Daddy”
People have nicknames and titles all the time… A family doesn’t need to alter the personal names they refer to one another as in case a passer by doesn’t grasp who they are speaking of, they can easily explain the relationship in a word or two if an explanation is required.
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retire_early
Guest
Funny you should give the “Daughter Grace” and “Son Richard” examples. I find myself addressing my brothers sometimes by “Brother Michael” or “Brother Richard” when I haven’t seen them in a awhile, (accompanied by a big grin) or when I am talking about them to another brother, as in “well, what have you heard from (our) brother Michael or just Brother Michael ?”. They do the same. Its family “inside” humor, but also, in a way, clarifying, because with a hugh family, there are also uncle Mikes and cousin Mikes, etc. We do the same with our cousins, too, (e.g., “well, hello, Cousin Matt!”), usually done when first greeting or addressing them.
Yes, the family insider made-up names can be explained if an explanation is required, but if required, then by their nature the names are exclusive, not inclusive. Just depends if your family group likes to have its own separate “club” that needs to be interpreted to “outsiders”.
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Eliza10
Guest
I had both in my family. Maybe we’re related!
I did not read the whole thread yet, so, maybe this was mentioned - how about “Pop-pop”?
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lifeisbeautiful
Guest
Hoosier, I must disagree here… I have a decent amount of southern friends and Paw Paw and Nanny are very commonly used. In fact, for example, when someone southern writes about Paw Paw on FB I automatically assume it is the grandpa they are talking about, and so far it has always been so. The same with Nanny (or Memaw etc). I have a feeling it has more to do with tradition and the southern culture than it does with people not wanting to be called grandpa because of the connotation.
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schaeffer
Guest
We had the extra “confusion” in our family of having a Brother and a Priest in the family, so we have Brother Don, and Father Jack who were neither our brother or father!
“I didn’t know you had a brother named Don!” We sometimes had a lot of explaining to do!
We also called our grandfather “Pa.” My mother had always called him that, and didn’t teach us anything different.
My grandfather didn’t like “old-person sounding names” either. The only grandkids who called him “Gramps” were my aunt’s kids, whom she encouraged to call him that, and he hated it.
My mother called one set of grandparents “Grandma Lastname” and “Grandpa Lastname” to distinguish them from her other grandmother, “Mama Firstname,” who lived with the family.
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Memaw
Guest
Great opportunity to explain. God Bless, Memaw
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PoliSciProf
Guest
My granddaughter calls me Pop which should sound appropriate as she grows up. My wife is called “grammy” which the DGD started to use on her own. Neither appellation is overly cutesy.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
Don’t we want better for our children than to fall into some southern stereotype…
I just don’t understand this fascination with grandparents demanding titles or pet names. If it happens it happens, but it does not change biology or age. They are not your children they are your children’s children. If you children wish to tell their children what to call you that is their prerogative,
My mom tried the “what will they call me” routine with my first.
I make sure they call her grandma. She is vain…When someone southern or anyone says Paw Paw, I automatically use simpler words around them so as not to confuse…
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Inisfallen
Guest
Seems like “Nanny” and “Poppy” are very Canadian. My Canadian (Newfoundland) wife used the same names for her grandparents, and I’m guessing that our daughter will (she’s not talking yet) use them for her grandparents, or at least her maternal grandparents.
Funny. My father (American) goes by “Papi” to his grandchildren. Sounds the same as “Poppy,” but it’s the Spanish (maybe Spanglish) version.
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PhiloMed
Guest
My kids call my mom by her first name. That is what I called my grandmother and my mom chose to do the same. Perhaps the OP could use some version of his own name that he is comfortable with? Or something ethnic if they identify with a specific heritage.
My husband’s parents are Teta and Gedo, the Arabic version of “grandma and grandpa”.
It baffles me why some on this forum have an opinion on what other children call their grandparents, but perhaps they are simply in need of extensive colorectal surgery to remove a wooden implement.
My husband’s parents are Teta and Gedo, the Arabic version of “grandma and grandpa”.
It baffles me why some on this forum have an opinion on what other children call their grandparents, but perhaps they are simply in need of extensive colorectal surgery to remove a wooden implement.
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