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.

---

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

It doesn’t help his case that Alex is a bit of a nepo baby, as his mother Judith is an actor whose name would be recognized in most British households.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2025

In an industry where those whose careers have been influenced by the favors of nepotism often decry the nepo baby label, Williams stands as an outlier.

From Salon • Jul. 1, 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