nepo baby

noun

variants or less commonly nepotism baby
plural nepo babies also nepotism babies
: a person who gains success or opportunities through familial connections
especially : a child of a famous parent (such as an actor, musician, entrepreneur, or politician)
… I thought it was a talent competition for aspiring nepo babies whose famous parents refused to book them auditions. Kyndall Cunningham
… [Actor] Ewan McGregor's daughter Clara has admitted that she has had all the privilege a so-called 'nepo baby' can enjoy. Beverley Lyons
… he [Ben Stiller] starred in a … Pepsi commercial that poked fun at his nepo baby status. Jen Shiori Adams
George emanates a grating "good vibes only" philosophy borne from his privileged upbringing; he's a nepotism baby by way of his famous artist father. Variety
Anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. … filed paperwork Wednesday to launch a presidential challenge to President Biden, continuing a centuries-long tradition of nepotism baby presidential contenders. Zach Blackburn

Examples of nepo baby in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Joining Maia for her pivotal birthday are her two local best friends, Charlie (Jordan Firstman) and Alani (True Whitaker) — respectively, an on-the-rise fashion designer with a smattering of star clients and the nepo baby of a famous filmmaker who gave her a job (in title only) at his studio. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2025 Maia’s flaky friends Alani (True Whitaker) and Charlie (Jordan Firstman) are, respectively, a nepo baby with a titular vice presidency at her famous father’s production company and a mouthy stylist genuflecting at the feet of small-time pop singers. Judy Berman, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 Maia has help from her friends Charlie (Jordan Firstman), a pop star stylist and Alani (True Whitaker), an aimless movie biz nepo baby. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025 Although New York Magazine popularized the term ‘nepo baby‘ in 2022, Ben Stiller has long been familiar with criticism over having famous parents. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2025 But don't call them nepo babies. Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025 As the son of Pierre Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister from 1968 to 1979, and, again, from 1980 to 1984, Justin Trudeau is also a political nepo baby. Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025 This here is a nepo baby failing to live up to his surname. Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2025 His adult daughter, Rickie (Perry Mattfeld), is fighting to prove herself on staff despite being both a nepo baby and a woman. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1992, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nepo baby was in 1992

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Cite this Entry

“Nepo baby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nepo%20baby. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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