Nephew and niece facts for kids

A nephew is the son of your brother or sister. A niece is the daughter of your brother or sister. If you are their aunt or uncle, they are your nephew or niece! This family connection is very special.

What is a Nephew or Niece?

A nephew is a boy who is the child of your brother or sister. A niece is a girl who is the child of your brother or sister. For example, if your sister has a son, he is your nephew. If your brother has a daughter, she is your niece.

Family Connections

The relationship between an aunt or uncle and their niece or nephew is a close family tie. It's often called a "second-degree relative" connection. This means you are not immediate family, like a parent or child, but you are still very much part of the core family.

Sometimes, in different families or cultures, people might even call the child of their cousin a "niece" or "nephew." This shows how family terms can be used in different ways! Long ago, in old English, a sister's son was sometimes called a sister-son.

Different Kinds of Nieces and Nephews

There are a few special terms to describe different types of nieces and nephews:

• Half-niece or half-nephew - This is the child of your half-sibling. A half-sibling is a brother or sister who shares only one parent with you.
• Sororal niece or sororal nephew - This term means the child of your sister.
• Fraternal niece or fraternal nephew - This term means the child of your brother.
• Grandniece or great-niece - This is the granddaughter of your sibling. It's like saying your sibling's grandchild.
• Grandnephew or great-nephew - This is the grandson of your sibling. It's your sibling's grandchild.

In-Law Nieces and Nephews

Sometimes, you might hear about an "in-law" niece or nephew. An in-law relationship is not by blood. Instead, it's a connection through marriage. For example, your spouse's niece or nephew would be your niece-in-law or nephew-in-law.