Granny comes from the mobile horror game Granny, first released in 2017, where the player tries to escape a house while being hunted by the title character. Her audio cues became part of the game's identity because they warn players she is nearby. As gameplay clips spread on video platforms, short Granny sounds were lifted into soundboards and edits, where the cue now works outside the game as an instant horror signal for pranks, gaming videos and meme reactions.