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

And, through it all, she’s managed to come out on top, not just because she’s a nepo baby or because she’s rich, but because she’s happily weathered the storm.

From Salon • Dec. 22, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

But the connection extends far beyond the nepo baby label.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 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