nieces

A niece is a female child who is a child of one’s brother or sister. In broader usage, the term may also apply to the daughter of a spouse’s sibling or, in some cases, to an adopted child within the family. The plural is nieces.

Etymology: The word derives from Old French niece, from Latin neptis meaning granddaughter or descendant, with the modern sense of a sister’s daughter developing in the medieval period. The related masculine form is nephew.

Relationship and roles: A niece is part of the extended family and is typically generationally younger than the aunt or uncle. Cultural expectations regarding contact, support, and obligations toward nieces vary widely across communities and families.

Legal and social considerations: Inheritance, guardianship, and custody laws in many jurisdictions recognize nieces as relatives, with specific rights and duties determined by local statutes, family arrangements, and the presence or absence of other heirs or guardians.

Contemporary usage: Some speakers use gender-neutral terms such as nibling to refer collectively to nieces and nephews. Terminology may also distinguish between blood relationships, marriages, or adoptions, and may vary by culture, language, and individual preference.