English Reference

Word

nepo baby

Definition

n. a modern slang term for someone whose career benefits from having famous or powerful parents. People often use it to talk about actors or musicians whose family connections helped them get ahead.

n. a colloquial and often pejorative term for a person, typically in a high-profile industry, whose career is perceived to have been advanced by their influential parents.

Examples

“The media calls many young actors nepo babies.”

“The magazine article debated whether the director was a true talent or just another nepo baby.”

“While the label 'nepo baby' can be dismissive, it also sparks conversations about privilege, meritocracy, and the structural barriers within creative industries for those without connections.”

Examples

simple

“The media calls many young actors nepo babies.”

contextual

“The magazine article debated whether the director was a true talent or just another nepo baby.”

complex

“While the label 'nepo baby' can be dismissive, it also sparks conversations about privilege, meritocracy, and the structural barriers within creative industries for those without connections.”

Real-World Examples

“Being a nepo baby - shorthand for the children of celebrities who often find themselves fast-tracked into industries such as film, fashion, and music - may have been scorned at in the past, but Blue Ivy's performance may have complicated the narrative.”
BBC News · 3 May 2025
“The phrase nepotism baby — nepo baby for short — has been used to attack people whose professional accomplishments are perceived by some to stem from family connections rather than talent alone.”
The New York Times · 3 Sept 2024
“Gwyneth Paltrow has said calling someone a "nepo baby" is an "ugly moniker", and that children of famous people shouldn't be judged negatively.”
BBC News · 19 Oct 2023
“For those unfamiliar with the term, a "nepo baby" refers to a celebrity who hails from a well-known family.”
The Guardian · 26 Nov 2022

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Level
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