Telugu Family Relationship Names: A Complete Guide to Kinship Terms
In English, one word, uncle, can describe your father’s brother, your mother’s brother, and your aunt’s husband. Telugu is far more precise. Each relative has a special name that tells you exactly how they are connected to you, and often whether they are older or younger.
Learning these terms helps children greet relatives properly and understand their place in the family.
Parents and Grandparents
- Mother – అమ్మ (Amma)
- Father – నాన్న (Nanna)
- Grandfather – తాత / తాతయ్య (Thatha / Tatayya)
- Mother’s mother – అమ్మమ్మ (Ammamma)
- Father’s mother – నాన్నమ్మ (Nannamma)
Brothers and Sisters
- Elder brother – అన్న / అన్నయ్య (Anna / Annayya)
- Younger brother – తమ్ముడు (Thammudu)
- Elder sister – అక్క (Akka)
- Younger sister – చెల్లి / చెల్లెలు (Chelli / Chellelu)
Father’s Side
- Father’s elder brother – పెదనాన్న (Pedananna)
- His wife – పెద్దమ్మ (Peddamma)
- Father’s younger brother – బాబాయ్ / చిన్నాన్న (Babai / Chinnanna)
- His wife – పిన్ని (Pinni)
- Father’s sister – అత్త / అత్తయ్య (Atta / Attayya)
- Her husband – మామయ్య (Mamayya)
Mother’s Side
- Mother’s elder sister – పెద్దమ్మ (Peddamma)
- Her husband – పెదనాన్న (Pedananna)
- Mother’s younger sister – పిన్ని (Pinni)
- Her husband – బాబాయ్ (Babai)
- Mother’s brother – మామయ్య (Mamayya)
- His wife – అత్త / అత్తయ్య (Atta / Attayya)
Notice the pattern: your parents’ same-gender siblings are like extra parents (Peddamma, Pinni, Pedananna, Babai), while your father’s sister and mother’s brother have their own special names (Atta and Mamayya).
Cousins
Telugu often uses sibling words for cousins who are children of Peddamma, Pinni, Pedananna, or Babai: they are called anna, akka, thammudu, or chelli, just like brothers and sisters.
Children of Atta and Mamayya have different names:
- Older male cousin (Atta’s or Mamayya’s son) – బావ (Baava)
- Younger male cousin – బావమరిది (Baavamaridi) or మరిది (Maridi), depending on usage
- Older female cousin – వదిన (Vadina)
- Younger female cousin – మరదలు (Maradalu)
In-Laws and Grandchildren
- Elder brother’s wife – వదిన (Vadina)
- Elder sister’s husband – బావ (Baava)
- Grandson – మనవడు (Manavadu)
- Granddaughter – మనవరాలు (Manavaraalu)
Usage varies slightly across regions and families, so always follow what your own elders use.
Respect in Addressing Relatives
Telugu children usually don’t call elders by name. Instead, they use the relationship word, often with -garu or a loving ending: Mamayya garu, Attayya, Pinni. This shows respect and affection.
Family Tree Activity
- Draw a family tree with photos of relatives.
- Label each person with their Telugu relationship name.
- Practise greetings: “Namaste, Pinni!” “Ela unnaru, Pedananna?“
- During video calls, ask your child to guess who is who.
Final Thoughts
Telugu kinship terms are a map of the family. When children learn them, they learn not just words, but where they belong in a large, loving circle of relatives.
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