nepo baby

American  

[nep-oh bey-bee] / ˈnɛp oʊ ˌbeɪ bi /

noun

1. a notable or powerful person, such as a celebrity or politican, with a parent who is also notable or powerful, especially one whose industry connections are perceived as essential to their success.

   It makes sense that he's a nepo baby, because there's no way he earned that role.

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Etymology

Origin of nepo baby

First recorded in 2022; nepo(tism) ( def. ) + baby ( def. )

Example Sentences

Newson III was an appeals court judge in California, as well as a close friend and adviser to oil nepo baby Gordon Getty.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

Yet for every nepo baby there’s a calamity baby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

The daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, and the granddaughter of Tippi Hedren, Johnson is a nepo baby three times over, and the public does not like to see nepo babies succeed so easily.

From Salon • Jun. 17, 2025

Stalter has captivated viewers with her turn as Kayla in “Hacks,” the nepo baby assistant turned partner, and this series is likely to keep her star rising.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2025

"Given how controversial her parents are, I think North West will struggle to break away from the nepo baby claims because unless she is unbelievably talented, she will be slated," Sullivan says.

From BBC • May 2, 2025