From “Gigi” to “Grandsire the Benevolent,” grandparents are choosing to express their individuality with unique alternative names instead of more traditional choices like “Grandma” or “Grandpop,” writes Beth DeCarbo for The Wall Street Journal.

The reasons why have a lot to do with the rampant ageism in the U.S.

Many men and women who first become a grandparent in their 40s and 50s don’t feel they fit the mental image the traditional names connote.

John Baginski of Loveland, Ohio, who is still very active at 76, has his grandkids called him “Papa John.”

He said, “The mental image doesn’t fit with me whatsoever. It reminds me of my grandparents, who did very little. Every time I would go over, they were just sitting on the sofa.”

An informal poll found that some of the popular alternative names include Gigi, Lala, Glamma, Poppy, and G-Pa.

Jim Barr, director of ministry partnerships at Harvest USA, a nonprofit Christian organization in Dresher, chose a very unique name: Grandsire the Magnificent.

“It’s a playful name, but not a joke,” he says. “Being a grandfather should have a sense of authority. I wanted to establish the concept that there’s another generation above their parents — a generation that should be honored.”

Read more about the alternative names grandparents are choosing to be called in The Wall Street Journal.

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