"I just had a baby, and my parents can't decide what they want her to call them. Can you help us decide what to call my baby's grandparents?"

These days, more and more newly minted grandparents are in great shape — they’re physically fit and anything but old-fashioned. So it’s no wonder some shudder at the thought of being called Grandma and Grandpa. That’s only one reason lots of families come up with creative names for grandparents, with monikers running the gamut from singsong (Mee-maw, Pap-pap) to ones that nod to your heritage (Nana, Nonna, Oma) to pure fun (Mama-doo, Papa-G).

But with so many choices, deciding what to call the grandparents can be tougher than naming the baby. Here’s how to zero in on titles that (if you’re lucky) will suit everyone.

  • First figure out what they don’t want. Start by asking your parents what they absolutely don’t want to be called and let them know that ultimately it’s their choice, not yours. It’ll be easier to whittle down the options if you know from the start that Nana and Papa are absolutely out.
  • Do a little research. One way to come up with names for grandparents is to find out what your parents’ peers are being called by their grandchildren. Your parents will probably be happy to do this bit of homework themselves and report back to you on what they like and loathe.
  • Test-drive names. Unlike your baby, your parents won’t get a birth certificate or Social Security card with their grandparent names on them — so feel free to try (and ditch) a few different options to see what feels right. The winning names will likely be obvious within a few weeks or months.
  • Check in with the other set — or sets — of grandparents. Lots of kids are fortunate enough to have two sets of grandparents these days — and when there’s remarriage in the family, even more — so finding out what your parents’ counterparts are planning on going by might be a wise move.
  • Let your baby pick. If you and your parents are absolutely stumped, here’s an alternative that requires a little bit of patience — and perhaps a sense of humor: Let your baby pick the names. That tiny newborn will be babbling soon enough, and chances are she’ll come up with her own names for the people she loves, including her grandparents. But beware: Early names have a way of sticking.

Whatever names you settle on, know that the grandparent-grandchild relationship is one of the most fulfilling, precious, and grand of your child’s life — and that’s what’s really important.


Heidi Murkoff