What do Mexicans call their grandmas?
Abuela. As any Spanish-speaking family knows, "abuela" or "abuelita" translates to "grandmother" in Spanish. You can also call grandma by a shorthand version, including "tita," "abbi," and "lita."
- Grandma.
- Gran.
- Grandmom.
- Grammy.
- Granny.
- Queenie.
- Nana.
- Glamma.
Abue – Grandma / Granny
As a short version of 'abuela', abue is one of the most popular nicknames that Spanish speakers use to say 'grandmother'. This word is the direct translation of 'grandma' or 'granny'.
The Spanish language also has words for great-grandmother — bisabuela — and great-great grandmother — tátara abuela.
And if you live in the south, there's a good chance you call your grandmother Mamaw or Mawmaw—the most popular nickname in 7 states mostly in the south and along the Appalachians. Texas is the lone holdout for Mimi while folks in the Northeast prefer Grammie or Nana.
Mijo, mija, mijito, and mijita are perhaps the most Mexican terms of endearment of them all. They're a fusion of the words mi hijo (my son) or mi hija (my daughter), while mijito and mijita are just the diminutives of the same words (my little son, my little daughter).
Greece: Maybe because it just sounds joyful, the Greek YaYa is a popular grandmother nickname. It's sometimes hyphenated and sometimes rendered as YiaYia.
The 10 most common nicknames for grandma in the United States are: Nana. Grammy/Grammie. Granny/Grannie.
Many southerners in seven states, including Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia, opt to call their grandmothers familiar names that you might expect. The most popular southern grandmother names are Mamaw, Mawmaw, Memaw, Nana, and Mimi.
Aunt/Uncle
Titi; neutral, from the Spanish for Aunt (Tia) and Uncle (Tio).
What does Yaya mean in Spanish?
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Spanish yaya (“granny”).
Category | English | |
---|---|---|
1 | Common | foolish |
General | ||
2 | General | takeover bid |
3 | General | up! |

Spain and Latin America: Abuela and Abuelita are common terms, often shortened to Lita.
lolo (feminine lola) A grandfather synonym ▲ Synonym: uyong. A granduncle.
- Memaw. This unique name for grandma is popular in the southern United States!
- Nanny. Much like the popular nanny Mary Poppins, this is a perfect name for a grandma who is sensible and sweet.
- Nonna. This quirky name means “grandma” in Italian.
- Bubbe. ...
- Abuela. ...
- Glamma. ...
- Lovey. ...
- Lola.