Anneanne, Babaanne, Dede: Turkish Names for Grandparents in a Short Video

In Turkish, a child’s two grandmothers have two different names, and each name tells you which side of the family she is on. In this short video, the Roots & Talks characters build a family photo wall to show anneanne, babaanne and dede. Some families also say büyükanne, nine or nene for any grandmother, so ask yours which word they use.

What the video says

Here is the narration, word for word.

In Turkish, your two grandmas have two different names. It all depends on whose mom she is.

Your mom is anne, so her mom is your anneanne: literally, anne plus anne.

Your dad is baba, so his mom is your babaanne: that’s baba plus anne.

And grandpa? On both sides, he’s dede.

Two grandmas with two names, two grandpas with one.

Find gift ideas for your anneanne, babaanne or dede at Roots & Talks.

Keep exploring

• Gifts for Turkish grandparents: nine warm ideas for an anneanne, a babaanne or a dede.
• Gifts for Turkish Grandparents collection: the Grandma's Tablecloth and Grandma's Suitcase designs, and the audio book Ela and the Star That Flew to Grandma.
• 15 Turkish words every kid should hear before age 8: including the words for grandmother.