What is a first cousin once removed?
Your first cousin once removed is either your first cousin’s child or your mom’s or dad’s first cousin. “Once removed” means one generation apart, up or down. It works both ways, so you’re their first cousin once removed too.
At a glance
- Who it can be
- Your first cousin’s child, or your parent’s first cousin.
- Once removed
- One generation apart, up or down.
- In Spanish
- Sobrino segundo going down, tío segundo going up.
Henryyour first cousin once removed
Noahyour first cousin
Anneyour aunt
Thomasyour grandfather
Jamesyour father
EthanWhat “once removed” means
“Removed” is how English counts the generations between cousins. Once removed means one generation apart, and twice removed means two. It’s only used for cousins: aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews have their own names.
Along one branch, the number in front stays put and only the “removed” changes. Take your first cousin: her son is your first cousin once removed, and her grandson is your first cousin twice removed.
Going up works the same way. Your mom’s or dad’s first cousin is your first cousin once removed, and your grandma’s or grandpa’s first cousin is your first cousin twice removed.
Heads-up
Not a second cousin, and not a niece
Many people guess that a cousin’s child is a “second cousin.” It isn’t: second cousins are always your own generation, the kids of your parents’ first cousins.
Others go the other way and say “my niece” or “Uncle Rick.” Lots of families call a parent’s cousin aunt or uncle out of love and respect, and there’s no need to stop.
On the family tree, though, aunts and uncles are your parents’ siblings, and nieces and nephews are your siblings’ kids. Your first cousin’s child and your parent’s first cousin are both first cousins once removed.
Up or down, it’s the same name
In the example family, Henry is one generation below Ethan. The Sullivans have one going up, too: Liam is a first cousin of Ethan’s dad, James, so he’s also Ethan’s first cousin once removed.
A first cousin once removed can even be close to your own age, or younger. The name counts generations, not birthdays.
Español
In Spanish, it’s a different word
Spanish doesn’t use “removed.” It treats that generation gap like an uncle and a nephew: your cousin’s child is your sobrino segundo, a “second nephew,” and your parent’s cousin is your tío segundo, a “second uncle.”
So if your family speaks Spanish, don’t be surprised when your cousin’s kids call you tío or tía.
In real life
The grown-up cousin
Lots of families have one: Mom’s cousin who felt more like a big sister than a cousin. She taught you to play Spades at the kitchen table, mailed the best birthday cards and showed up at your graduation with a camera.
On paper, she’s your first cousin once removed. At the table, she’s just family, and now your own kids are the ones running to hug her.
People also ask
What is my cousin’s child to me?
Your first cousin once removed. In everyday talk, “my cousin’s son” or “my cousin’s daughter” works just as well.
What is my mom’s cousin to me?
Your first cousin once removed: the same name as your cousin’s child, just one generation up instead of down.
What am I to my cousin’s kids?
Their first cousin once removed. The name is the same in both directions.
What is my cousin’s grandchild to me?
Your first cousin twice removed, because you’re two generations apart.