Nepo baby
Etymology
A clipping of nepotism (favoring relatives; from Italian nipote, "nephew," originally describing popes who elevated their nephews) plus baby. The term circulated on Twitter in early 2022 and was cemented by a December 2022 New York Magazine cover story, "The Year of the Nepo Baby."
noun · /NEP-oh BAY-bee/
Someone whose career is boosted by having famous or well-connected parents.
What it names
It names the hidden leg-up of inherited access — the auditions, contacts, and credibility that come with a well-known surname. It gives a compact way to talk about how much of "making it" can be a starting position rather than a climb.
Example
She’s a talented actor, but let’s be honest — the nepo baby head start didn’t hurt.
Related idea
Related to privilege generally, but sharper: a nepo baby’s advantage is specifically a famous parent’s name and network.