Lifestyle
Move over, Grandad! Meet Nonno, Abuelo, Opa, Peach and more
What does the world call their grandfather? We round up the most popular, traditional and unique grandfather names from around the globe and explore what each one means.
By Robyn Lopez
Since forever, families around the globe have created fun and affectionate grandfather names that often reflect local language, culture and traditions. Some stick to the grandad classics, while others add a personal twist – turning a grandparent title into something quirky and easy for kiddos to pronounce.
It’s all part of kinkeeping, the quiet art of keeping families connected… something that grandparents do so naturally. When my dad became a grandfather, he hated to be called “Lolo”, the traditional Filipino grandpa name. Instead, he borrowed “grandude” from the nickname Paul McCartney’s grandkids call him and instantly felt ten times cooler. He embraced that title like a promotion.
Finding the best grandad nickname can be just as exciting. Whether you’re about to become one yourself (congratulations!) or are thinking of upgrading, this article is for you.
25 grandfather names from around the world
The world is full of grandfather names that sound fun and charming. Here’s a look at how grandfathers from around the world wear their names with pride.
Fun grandad names from Europe
1. Grand-père / Papi (France)
(pronounced: grahn-pair / pah-pee)
Grand-père is a formal title, while papi is more playful and affectionate, often used by young grandchildren.
Fun fact: French grandfathers are often involved in their grandchildren’s upbringing and education and have a legally recognised right to visit.
2. Nonno (Italy)
(pronounced: non-noh)
In Italian life, Nonno is the heart of the family – full of stories, gardening wisdom and homemade treats. The name comes from the Latin nonnus, meaning “elder” or “tutor” and is deeply tied to Italian traditions of family gatherings and caregiving.
Fun fact: Italian grandfathers are the emotional and financial anchors in the family and are the centre of celebrations involving food, wine and music.
3. Opa (Germany)
(pronounced: oh-pah)
Opa is friendly, approachable and the grandfather name most widely used. It is short for Großvater, literally “great father” and is often paired with personal nicknames to create a more intimate family bond.
Fun fact: German opas are known for hands-on teaching including woodworking and gardening.
4. Abuelo (Spain)
(pronounced: ah-bweh-lo)
Beyond being a family title, abuelo reflects the deep respect for elders found throughout Spanish and Latin cultures. From the Latin word aviolus, meaning “little grandfather,” emphasising both respect and affection for the elder male in the family.
Fun fact: Abuelos often lead celebrations for saints’ days or local festivals and teach songs, dances and historical anecdotes to their grandkids.
5. Pappous (Greece)
(pronounced: pah-poos)
This affectionate Greek name for grandfather evokes warmth and wisdom. In Greek culture, pappous portrays the role of elders in guiding younger generations.
Fun fact: Many Greek families run businesses together and pappous plays a vital role as the head of both the family and business.
6. Daideo (Ireland)
(pronounced: dah-jo)
“Seanathair” is the formal Gaelic term for grandfather, while daideo is the affectionate everyday version. Both names celebrate Ireland’s Gaelic heritage and the respect given to elders within Irish families.
Fun fact: Irish daideos are frequently the storytellers and historians of the family, sharing myths, folktales and even Gaelic language lessons with grandchildren.
7. Dziadek (Poland)
(pronounced: jah-dek)
Rooted in old Slavic, the name dzaidek expresses love and respect and reflects the deep respect Polish families hold for their elders. Polish families often celebrate grandparents through shared traditions, faith and storytelling.
Fun fact: Grandfathers in Poland are celebrated every 22nd of January and are generally more involved with their grandchildren compared to other European countries.
8. Dedushka (Russia)
(pronounced: deh-doosh-ka)
Dedushka is a respectful and loving term used for paternal grandfathers. The name comes from ded, meaning “grandfather” and embodies Russia’s reverence for elders, who are viewed as custodians of family history and cultural wisdom.
Fun fact: Dedushka/ded also refers to senior conscripts in the Russian army who have been in service for a long time.
9. Farfar or morfar (Sweden)
(pronounced: far-far and moh-r-far )
Centuries ago, Swedish families carefully documented their roots, and names like Farfar helped define each branch of the family tree. Farfar means “father’s father”, while morfar is “mother’s father”. Both symbolises not just affection but also a link to the paternal heritage that anchored families through Sweden’s rural and community-centred past.
Fun fact: A Swedish law was introduced in 2024 which allowed grandparents to receive paid parental leave to care for their grandchildren.
10. Bestefar or morfar (Norway)
(pronounced: bes-teh-fahr and moh-r-far)
In Norway, bestefar literally means “best father” and refers to the paternal grandfather, while morfar refers to the maternal grandfather. Historically, Norwegian grandfathers were central figures in multigenerational homes, passing down traditions tied to fishing, farming and folklore.
Fun fact: Some families use regional variations such as besta, besse or the old Norse term afi.
11. Afi (Iceland)
(pronounced: ah-fi)
Deeply rooted in the country’s Nordic heritage, Icelandic grandfathers often pass down sagas and folk stories to preserve their Viking ancestors and culture.
Fun fact: Icelandic grandparents often take their grandchildren on outdoor adventures including hiking, fishing and exploring geothermal pools.
Cool grandad names with Asia-Pacific spirit
12. Ojiisan (Japan)
(pronounced: oh-jee-sahn)
Ojisan is a common term for grandpa in Japan, but if you’re looking for a shorter and friendlier version – go for jiji.
Fun fact: Grandchildren will gently bow to their ojisan as a sign of respect.
13. Yéye or wàigōng (China)
(pronounced: ye ye and wai-gong)
In China, ancestral names are usually based on the specific region where they came from. In Mandarin Chinese, depending on the mother/father lineage, yéye refers to paternal grandfather, while wàigōng refers to maternal grandfather.
Fun fact: Chinese grandfathers are often responsible for teaching traditional arts like calligraphy or music, passing down skills to keep traditional culture alive.
14. Lolo (Philippines)
(pronounced: lo-lo)
Lolo is a term of respect and love for a male elder in Filipino culture. Often, grandchildren combine it with the words papa or daddy – making it sound sweeter: papalo / daddylo.
Fun fact: The term lolo is believed to have been influenced by the Spanish word abuelo as the Philippines was colonised by Spaniards for 300+ years.
15. Kakek (Indonesia)
(pronounced: kah-kek)
Indonesians commonly use this term for their grandfathers, though names like aki (Sundanese) and embah (Javanese) are also popular in different regions.
Fun fact: In Indonesian folklore, kakek characters often appear as wise, guiding figures in traditional stories.
Popular grandpa names from North & South America
16. Vovô (Brazil)
(pronounced: vo-voh)
Brazilian grandchildren often use vovô to address their grandfathers more affectionately, while avô is a more formal and literal term.
Fun fact: Many Brazilian grandparents are affectionately called “vovô do Samba” if they love dancing!
17. Pépère (Canada)
(pronounced: pay-pehr)
In Canadian-French culture, pépère or pépé is a warm and endearing term for grandfathers and is often used interchangeably.
Fun fact: In Quebec, families often have multi-generation homes, where pépère leads Sunday dinners.
18. Tata or abuelito (Argentina)
(pronounced: tah-tah and ah-bweh-lee-toh)
Abuelito is an affectionate term to show love, derived from the Spanish word abuelo. Tata is another common nickname that is used for either a grandfather or a grandmother.
Fun fact: It’s common for tatas to pass down the ritual of preparing mate (herbal tea) to fuel family conversations.
Unique grandfather names from Africa
19. Mkhulu (South Africa)
(pronounced: m-khoo-loo)
Mkhulu is a term from Nguni languages like Zulu and isiXhosa tied to ancestral connection and belief in the spiritual guidance of male ancestors.
Fun fact: The term mkhulu is also used as a respectful title for an older man, a community elder, or even a respected elder woman, signifying seniority, wisdom and respect.
20. Etete (Nigeria)
(pronounced: eh-teh-teh)
The term Etete for a paternal grandfather and Etema for a maternal grandfather in the Efik language of Nigeria.
Fun fact: Nigerian grandfathers are often called baba and is often associated with leadership or nobility.
21. Babu (Tanzania)
(pronounced: bah-boo)
Babu is the Swahili word for grandfather and also used to refer to any elderly man, who is often shown respect and considered a source of wisdom and blessings. In some villages, babu is also the term used for a traditional healer or shaman.
Fun fact: Grandparents in Tanzania are the usual keepers of spiritual values, often praying with their grandchildren and teaching them religious texts.
22. Geddo (Egypt)
(pronounced: ged-doo)
The most commonly used term for grandfathers in Egypt is the informal geddo (جدو), while the formal Arabic word is jadd (جدّ).
Fun fact: Grandparents in Egypt often live nearby or with their children and grandchildren to keep the extended family close-knit.
Fun grandpa names
Even celebrities put their own spin on the classic grandpa nickname – a proof that no one’s too famous to get a cute family name. From royal to rock-star grandfathers, these names show that being a grandpa never goes out of style:
- “Grandude” – Paul McCartney (he even wrote a children’s book about it!)
- “Gogi” – Kurt Russell
- “Peach” – Martin Sheen
- “Grandpa Wales” – King Charles III
- “Grandpops” – Elton John
- “Peepa” – Billy Crystal
- “Papa Don” – Don Johnson
- “Issur” – Kirk Douglas (his birth name)
Whether you lean traditional or modern, your grandparent name becomes part of your family’s story – a title worn with pride and love.
Feature image: iStock/Onfokus
What do you call your Grandad? Tell us in the comments or share your family’s special name!
Read these next: