achterneef

Achterneef is a Dutch term referring to a great-nephew, specifically the son of one’s nephew or niece. The word combines achter, meaning behind or after, with neef, meaning nephew, signaling a generation removed in a family tree. In genealogical terms, an achterneef is two generations away from the reference person: you, your sibling (your nephew or niece), and then that sibling’s child.

The corresponding female form is achternicht, denoting a great-niece. Both terms are primarily used within Dutch-language contexts and appear in family records, genealogies, and discussions of kinship in the Netherlands and Flanders. In English, the direct equivalent is great-nephew; some sources also use grand-nephew, though great-nephew is the more common term in contemporary usage.

Uses and nuances: achterneef describes a specific generational position relative to the speaker, without implying any legal rights or duties beyond family relationship. Cultural and linguistic variations may influence how precisely the term is used in different families, but its core meaning remains consistent: it designates the child of a sibling’s child on the male line.