firstborn

Firstborn is the term used for the first child born to a set of parents, typically the eldest surviving child. It is a descriptive label that applies regardless of gender, though historical and cultural practices have attributed particular importance to the firstborn in some societies.

In inheritance and succession systems, the concept of primogeniture gave the firstborn, especially the eldest son, priority in acquiring property or titles. Variants include male-preference primogeniture, where sons inherit before daughters, and absolute primogeniture, where the eldest child inherits regardless of gender. Over the past centuries many jurisdictions have reformed or abolished primogeniture in favor of equal inheritance rules, and some royal or noble lines extend the principle of primogeniture only to specific contexts of succession.

Cultural and religious contexts have also shaped the status of the firstborn. In Judaism, the firstborn son holds particular ceremonial significance, including the redemption of the firstborn (pidyon haben) in some traditions. In broader cultural narratives, the firstborn is often associated with leadership, responsibility, or the expectation to care for younger siblings, though such expectations vary widely among families and communities.

In modern demography and psychology, birth order has been studied as one of many factors that can influence personality and family dynamics; however, findings are mixed, and researchers emphasize that individual differences and family environment typically have a stronger influence than birth order alone.

The term remains a practical descriptor in legal, genealogical, and social contexts, used to discuss family structure, inheritance history, and lineage without implying universal rules or outcomes.