Why George Bush's Grandkids Call Him 'Jefe' — And What They Call Grandma

Former President George W. Bush's First Press Conference, 2001. Photo courtesy of Collection: Records of the White House Photo Office (George W. Bush Administration). Public domain.

Let's be honest: when you hear the word "Jefe," your mind might go to a slick movie villain or the boss at a taco stand. But in the Bush family, "Jefe" is the chosen grandfather name for one very famous former president — George W. Bush. Yep, the 43rd president of the United States is known to his grandkids not as "Grandpa," "Pop Pop," or "Sir" (which he allegedly prefers), but by the Spanish word for "boss."

Frankly, it's perfect.

Because whether you remember him clearing brush at the ranch in cowboy boots or cracking jokes at White House press conferences, "Jefe" fits Bush's down-home swagger and his past job title. But it's not just the name that charms — it's the peek behind the curtain into how even presidents melt into mush when grandkids are around.

'Jefe' in the Bush Family Lore

According to Page Six, Bush was hoping for "Sir" as his official granddad handle. It's certainly presidential. But the grandkids had other ideas — and started calling him "Jefe" instead, Spanish for "boss." Was it a cheeky nod to his time as commander in chief? An inside joke gone rogue? The Bush family hasn't spelled out the origin, but we'd like to imagine the nickname stuck after one of the littles declared, "You're the Jefe!" and the rest is grandparent history.

"Jefe" has a ring to it — half playful, half dignified, and very Bush-family Texan.

Meet 'Mimi Maxwell'

And what about Laura Bush? You won't hear her answering to "Grandma" either. Her grandkids call her "Mimi Maxwell," a name with a little mystery and a lot of flair. Laura shared that her daughters Jenna and Barbara made it up — though she's kept the full origin story delightfully private. It's chic, Southern, and just quirky enough to work.

"Mimi Maxwell" sounds like the heroine in a vintage romance novel — or the neighbor who always has fresh cookies and good advice. Either way, it suits the former first lady, who mixes elegance with ease like it's second nature.

Grandparent Nicknames: The Celeb Edition

Turns out, the Bushes aren't the only famous family having fun with what the grandkids call them. Hollywood and beyond is full of grandparents who've traded "Grandma" and "Grandpa" for something with a bit more pizzazz.

Let's take a little joyride through the celebrity grandparent name hall of fame:

• Kris Jenner goes by "Lovey" — which sounds part socialite, part storybook character. It was inspired by a family friend and fits her glamorous grandmother persona perfectly.

• Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson stick to their roots with "Papou" and "Yiayia," honoring their Greek heritage with the traditional names for grandfather and grandmother.

• Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell go by "Gogo" and "Gogi," adorable nicknames that were already their personal monikers before grandkids came into the picture. They sound like the coolest grandparents on Earth — which, let's face it, they probably are.

• Susan Sarandon is called "Honey," a name she borrowed from a Southern friend's grandmother — sweet and a little unexpected, just like the actress herself.

• Martin Sheen was dubbed "Peach" and "Grandpeachual" because of his poetic tendencies and penchant for quoting Shakespeare. His grandkids, it seems, had a sense of humor from the start.

• And yes, even Snoop Dogg has a name with style: "Papa Snoop," upgraded from "Papa Noop" — his grandson's early mispronunciation of "Snoop."

It's a Nickname Thing, Not Just a Southern Thing

Though the Bush family is famously Texan — and Southerners do have a knack for inventive names — playful grandparent nicknames are clearly a universal trend. From royalty ("Granny," for Queen Elizabeth II) to rock royalty ("Oopi" for Whoopi Goldberg), the name game is strong across generations.

Sometimes they're planned. Sometimes they're toddler-created. And sometimes — like "Jefe" or "Mimi Maxwell" — they're just perfect happy accidents that stick.

What These Nicknames Really Say

Underneath all the charm and humor, these names reveal something tender: even the world's most powerful, glamorous, or polished people become softies when grandkids enter the picture. The president becomes "Jefe." The talk show queen becomes "Oopi." It's like stepping into a new role — part mentor, part mushball, all heart.

So, if you're expecting a grandbaby soon and thinking about what you'll be called, feel free to think outside the "Grandpa" box. But also — be ready to surrender to whatever nickname your grandkid decides to bless you with. Sometimes the most beloved names are the ones you never saw coming.

References: The Bush Family Has A Knack For Nicknames | Boom Boom, Oopi, & More Fun & Unique Grandparent Names Used by Celebrities