Kara Sears
Kinship terms in English can be confusing, and there is no consensus on what to call your brother-in-law's daughter. Some people refer to their brother-in-law's daughter as their niece-in-law, while others argue that the term niece-in-law should be reserved for a woman who marries your blood nephew. In this case, the daughter of your brother-in-law would simply be referred to as my brother-in-law's daughter or my niece by marriage. Some people also use the term nibling-in-law to refer to the children of their siblings-in-law, but this is not a commonly used term. Ultimately, the specific terminology is not as important as the family connection and the relationships that are built.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relationship | Niece or nephew |
| Type of kinship | Affinity |
| Relation by blood | No |
| Relation by marriage | Yes |
| Relation by adoption | No |
| Relation by marriage and adoption | N/A |
| Relation to the child's parents | Brother-in-law or sister-in-law |
| Relation to the child's grandparents | Uncle or aunt |
| Relation to the child's great-grandparents | Granduncle or grandaunt |
| Relation to the child's cousins | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Your brother-in-law's daughter is your niece
Family relationships can be complicated, and this is especially true when it comes to in-laws. While your brother-in-law's daughter is not related to you by blood, she is still considered your niece. This type of kinship is called affinity, and it is similar to other in-law relationships. In other words, just as the children of your siblings are your nieces or nephews, so too are the children of your siblings-in-law.
It is worth noting that the specific term used to refer to this relationship can vary depending on cultural and regional differences. For example, in Indian English, the daughter of your brother-in-law might be referred to as your "co-niece". Similarly, in some cultures, the term "niece-in-law" may be used to specify that the relationship is through marriage rather than blood. However, in general, "niece" is the most commonly used term in English for this relationship.
When it comes to addressing each other, the daughter of your brother-in-law will likely call you "aunt" or "uncle", depending on your gender. Conversely, you can refer to her as your niece or, if clarification is needed, as your "niece by marriage" or "niece on my wife's side". Using the term "niece" helps to keep things simple, especially since English does not have a widely accepted term for this specific relationship.
It is important to remember that family relationships are not solely based on blood ties. While your brother-in-law's daughter may not be your biological niece, the bond you share with her is still significant and can be just as strong as that of a blood relative. Ultimately, the specific terms used to define these relationships are less important than the love and connection shared within the family.
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You are the daughter's aunt or uncle
If your brother-in-law is your spouse's brother, then his daughter is your niece. If your brother-in-law is your sibling's spouse, then his daughter is your nibling-in-law, niece by marriage, or simply your niece. In either case, you are the daughter's aunt or uncle.
The children of one's siblings-in-law are called nieces and nephews. This can be further specified as "by marriage" or "by blood" if necessary. If you are the aunt or uncle of your brother-in-law's daughter, then she is your niece. This relationship is not one of blood relation, but of affinity, or kinship by marriage.
In some cultures, the term "cousin" is used for extended family relations, even when there is no biological relation. In English, there is no specific word to describe the relation between an individual and their sibling's spouse's sibling. Therefore, the daughter of your brother-in-law is most simply put, your niece.
From a genealogical perspective, the daughter of your brother-in-law is your sibling's niece/nephew, and you are this child's aunt's/uncle's spouse. If your brother-in-law has had children with your sibling, then their children are your niblings, or nieces/nephews.
If you are no longer married to the parent of your brother-in-law, you may still be considered family by yourself or others. There is no harm in continuing to refer to your former brother-in-law's daughter as your niece, or for her to call you her aunt or uncle.
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There is no direct blood relation
The daughter of your brother-in-law is not directly related to you by blood. They are related to you by what is known as "affinity", a type of kinship. In this case, they are related to you by marriage.
In English, there is no standard term to describe the relationship between you and the daughter of your brother-in-law. Some people refer to this person as their "niece-in-law", but this is not a commonly used term. Others refer to this person as their "nibling-in-law", but this term is also not widely recognised. Some people may simply refer to the daughter of their brother-in-law as their "niece", or "niece by marriage", to avoid confusion.
In some cultures, there are different terms for different relationships. For example, in Swedish, your mother's brother is called "morbror", and your father's brother is called "farbror", whereas in Danish, the word "onkel" is used for both. In French, your daughter-in-law and stepdaughter are both referred to as "belle-fille".
In some cases, people may choose to use more general terms such as "cousin" or "family friend" to describe the relationship, especially when speaking to the child. Ultimately, the specific term used may depend on personal preference and the level of attachment between the individuals involved.
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The daughter may refer to you as 'aunt' or 'uncle'
The daughter of your brother-in-law is your niece. While you are not related by blood, the daughter may refer to you as her aunt or uncle. This is because, in English, the term "uncle" is used for four relationships: a father's brother, mother's brother, father's sister's husband, or mother's sister's husband. Similarly, "aunt" can refer to a father's sister, mother's sister, father's brother's wife, or mother's brother's wife.
In other cultures, there are different terms for these relationships. For example, in Swedish, your mother's brother is called a "morbror", and your father's brother is a "farbror", while in Danish, "onkel" is used for both. However, in English, there is no specific term to refer to the relationship between you and your brother-in-law's daughter, so "aunt" or "uncle" are the closest terms.
If you are looking for a more specific term to describe the relationship, you could say "my brother-in-law's daughter" or "my niece by marriage" to clarify that you are not blood-related. Alternatively, you could simply refer to her as your niece to keep things straightforward, especially when speaking to the child. Ultimately, the choice of what term to use depends on your personal preference and the nature of your relationship with your brother-in-law and his daughter.
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The daughter is your spouse's niece or nephew
The daughter of your brother-in-law is your niece, or more specifically, your niece-in-law. This is true regardless of whether your brother-in-law is your sibling's spouse or your spouse's sibling. The daughter will call you “aunt” or “uncle”, and you can refer to her as your "niece on my wife's side" or "my brother-in-law's daughter" to clarify the relationship.
In some cultures, there are specific terms for these relationships. For example, in Indian English, the husband of one's sibling-in-law is called a "co-brother". However, in English, there is no specific term for the daughter of your brother-in-law. While some people may use the term “niece-in-law”, others may simply say "niece" or “niece by marriage”.
It is important to note that these are kinship terms that describe a type of affinity, and there is no blood relation between you and your brother-in-law's daughter. This can sometimes lead to confusion when trying to determine the exact nature of the relationship, especially when dealing with more distant or complex connections.
While the term "niece" is commonly used to describe this relationship, it is worth mentioning that some people may prefer to use different terms, such as "cousin", especially in more distant or complicated family connections. Ultimately, the specific terminology used may depend on personal preference, cultural context, and the level of simplicity or specificity desired in describing the relationship.
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Frequently asked questions
Your brother-in-law is your spouse's brother or your sibling's spouse.
Your brother-in-law's daughter is your niece.
Your brother-in-law's son is your nephew.
Your daughter and your brother-in-law's daughter are cousins.
Your son and your brother-in-law's daughter are cousins.
