Cousin vs. Niece — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
A cousin is a child of one's aunt or uncle, while a niece is the daughter of one's brother or sister.
Difference Between Cousin and Niece
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cousin is your relative because you share a common grandparent or grandparents. In contrast, a niece is directly related to you as she is the daughter of your sibling.
When considering closeness in a family tree, your cousin stands at the same level as you, while a niece stands a level below.
A cousin is the offspring of your parent's siblings. A niece, however, is the offspring of your own siblings.
Generational Differences: Generally, cousins belong to the same generation as you, while nieces are from the subsequent generation.
Both cousins and nieces can be further qualified. You might have first cousins, second cousins, etc., based on the generational distance. Meanwhile, you can have a niece or a great-niece, depending on the generational gap.
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Comparison Chart
Relationship
Child of one's aunt or uncle
Daughter of one's brother or sister
Gender Neutrality
Gender-neutral term (can refer to both male and female)
Gender-specific term (refers to females only)
Directness
One step removed from immediate family (same generation)
Direct line within immediate family (next generation)
Nephew's Counterpart
No specific counterpart as 'Cousin' is gender-neutral
Yes, the male counterpart of a Niece is a Nephew
In-laws
Cousin by marriage can still be referred to as 'Cousin'
No term like 'Niece-in-law'; relationship by marriage varies
Compare with Definitions
Cousin
A term used colloquially to refer to people related by blood or marriage.
We're not closely related; he's a third Cousin.
Niece
The daughter of one's spouse's brother or sister.
His Niece from his wife's side visits them every summer.
Cousin
A member of a group or type similar or akin to another.
The tiger and lion are Cousins in the cat family.
Niece
Used in a broader sense for a female relative who is a generation below you.
Though she's my cousin's daughter, I often refer to her as my Niece for simplicity.
Cousin
A title used in addressing a sovereign, especially by another sovereign.
The letter began, My dear Cousin and King...
Niece
The daughter of one's brother or sister.
My Niece just started school and is very excited.
Cousin
Commonly, "cousin" refers to a "first cousin", a relative whose most recent common ancestor with the subject is a grandparent. More generally, in the lineal kinship system used in the English-speaking world, a cousin is a type of familial relationship in which two relatives are two or more familial generations away from their most recent common ancestor.
Niece
A term denoting familial love or closeness with a younger female, though not biologically related.
She's like a Niece to me, even though we're just close family friends.
Cousin
A child of one's aunt or uncle. Also called first cousin.
Niece
A female descendant, especially in relation to resemblance or favoritism.
She sings beautifully, just like her aunt – a true Niece in talent.
Cousin
A relative descended from a common ancestor, such as a grandparent, by two or more steps in a diverging line.
Niece
The daughter of one's brother or sister or of the brother or sister of one's spouse.
Cousin
A relative by blood or marriage; a kinsman or kinswoman.
Niece
A daughter of one’s sibling, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law; either the daughter of one's brother ("fraternal niece"), or of one's sister ("sororal niece").
My niece just celebrated her 15th birthday.
Cousin
A member of a kindred group or country
Our Canadian cousins.
Niece
A relative, in general; especially, a descendant, whether male or female; a granddaughter or a grandson.
Cousin
Something similar in quality or character
"There's no mistaking soca for its distant Jamaican cousin, reggae" (Michael Saunders).
Niece
A daughter of one's brother or sister, or of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law. In modern English, this is the primary meaning.
Cousin
Used as a form of address by a sovereign in addressing another sovereign or a high-ranking member of the nobility.
Niece
A daughter of your brother or sister
Cousin
The child of a person's uncle or aunt; a first cousin.
I think my cousin is a good man.
Cousin
(archaic) A kinsman.
Cousin
Any relation who is not a direct ancestor or descendant but part of one's extended family; one more distantly related than an uncle, aunt, granduncle, grandaunt, nephew, niece, grandnephew, grandniece, etc.
Cousin
(obsolete) A title formerly given by a king to a nobleman, particularly to those of the council. In English writs, etc., issued by the crown, it signifies any earl.
Cousin
(figurative) Something kindred or related to something else.
Cousin
A member of the British intelligence services (from an American perspective) or of the American intelligence services (from a British perspective).
Cousin
One collaterally related more remotely than a brother or sister; especially, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.
Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son,A cousin-german to great Priam's seed.
Cousin
A title formerly given by a king to a nobleman, particularly to those of the council. In English writs, etc., issued by the crown, it signifies any earl.
My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow.
Cousin
Allied; akin.
Cousin
The child of your aunt or uncle
Cousin
A child of one's aunt or uncle.
My Cousin and I spent summers together at our grandparents' house.
Common Curiosities
Is there a male equivalent to Niece?
Yes, the male equivalent of a Niece is a nephew.
Can you have a Cousin once removed?
Yes, "once removed" indicates a one-generation difference. Your cousin's child would be your first cousin once removed.
What is the main relationship difference between a Cousin and a Niece?
A cousin is the child of your aunt or uncle, while a niece is the daughter of your sibling.
How is a second Cousin different from a first Cousin?
Second cousins share great-grandparents, while first cousins share grandparents.
Can the term "Niece" be used outside of blood relations?
Yes, it can be used affectionately to refer to a younger female close to someone, though not biologically related.
What's the term for the daughter of my Cousin?
She would be your first cousin once removed.
How is a Cousin related in a family tree?
Cousins stand on the same level in a family tree and share a common set of grandparents.
What's the opposite of a Niece in terms of gender?
The opposite in terms of gender is a nephew.
Is a Cousin's daughter also considered a Niece?
Traditionally, no. She's a first cousin once removed. But some might use "Niece" for simplicity.
Can a Niece also be a Cousin?
No, a Niece is a different relation than a Cousin, but she can be the cousin to your children.
How do you determine the degree of cousinship?
It's based on shared ancestry. First cousins share grandparents, second cousins share great-grandparents, and so on.
Can "Cousin" be used outside of familial contexts?
Yes, "Cousin" can be used to denote similar entities or groups, e.g., "cousin languages."
Who are the parents of a Niece?
The parents of a Niece are either your brother and his partner or your sister and her partner.
How close in relation are first cousins?
First cousins share a set of grandparents.
Can I have a Niece if I'm an only child?
Not by blood. However, if you marry someone with siblings who have children, those children are your nieces or nephews by marriage.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
