What do you guys call the children of your cousins?

Question

Does anyone know ''what is my cousin's child to me?'' What do you call the children of your cousin?

NamerOfStars · Accepted Answer

Assuming the parents are your first cousins, then in the US, they're second cousins, once removed. In Europe, things are different; they trace generation counts from the older generation. As in many cultural things, Canada is kind of caught between the two; I'm not sure where you guys fall.

The basic formula is this: look for the closest common ancestor, then make like a gangbanger and count the G's. For example: my father's sister has a daughter, who we'll call Erin. Erin and I share no parents, so we go up a generation, and find a common grandparent- one G, so we are first cousins. If Erin has a baby (Kevin, let's say), then he'll be a different relation: our common ancestors are the same people, but to him they're a great-grandparent: two G's; second cousins.

The difference is in the next step: Erin and I are of the same generation, but Kevin and I aren't. There's one step between us, which is where the "removed" comes in. It's important to remember that this isn't about age, but about generation: my grandfather's brother Mike has a daughter named Mary, who has a daughter named Jamie. Mary is about my age, but is a generation up; our closest common ancestor is her grandfather, and my great-grandfather; she's my second cousin, once removed. Jamie is my third cousin, and not removed at all, since we're of the same generation, even though she's younger than my kids would be, if I'd had any.

This is where much of the confusion comes from, since you'll hear Europeans talk about "first cousins once removed", which in the US, doesn't exist (the lack of commas is less damaging to comprehension)- though since most Americans tracing consanguinity are doing so based on methodology derived (directly or otherwise) from European sources (who were obviously doing this before the US even existed).

In practical terms, it's usually just "cousin" if you're at all uncertain; it saves a lot of time and headaches. I say this as someone who comes from a large Irish family, which has seen some truly odd things resulting from intermarrying, like two guys who both refer to each other as "uncle" and are both correct. Mark Twain put it best: https://archive.org/details/78_im-my-own-grandpa_the-jesters-red-latham-wamp-carlson-guy-bonham-latham-jaffe_gbia0093954a

rosario · Accepted Answer

So, the children of your cousins are called your "first cousins once removed." It sounds a bit formal and old-timey, right? Essentially, your cousin's kids are one generation removed from you, hence the "once removed" part. If you have kids, those kids and your cousin's kids are second cousins to each other, since they're both two generations away from the common ancestors (your grandparents).

It can get pretty confusing with all the "removed" and numbers, especially at big family gatherings where you're just trying to figure out how you're all related while passing the mashed potatoes. But yeah, "first cousins once removed" is the official term. Makes you wonder who first came up with this system, doesn't it? Like, was there a family reunion where someone said, "We need to sort this out once and for all"?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

2nd cousins I know the who once removed thing but it's just for posh people to gauge how inbred they are

supercutebutt · Accepted Answer

If your first cousin has children, they are your first cousins once removed. The closest common ancestor shared are your grandparents, but you are 'once removed' from the level of first cousin (held by their parents).

IslaTheWitch · Accepted Answer

there are no words in English reflecting Polish names cousin kids are for me siostrzenicami (nieces)/bratankami (nephews) ciotecznymi/stryjecznymi (no clear translation...) enjoy :D

82lynx · Answer

On the flip side, Tabitha Stephens would call Samantha’s cousin Serena “Auntie Serena”.

”Serena was here this morning, and I asked where mommy was and that’s when grandmama took me to the zoo. Would you like me to tell you about the animals?”

”You already have”.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

I asked my cousin's daughter that same question at a family reunion. She said "second cousins", but I think it is really "first cousins once removed".

KittyKat90210 · Answer

That would be your first cousin once removed. Second cousins would be the children of two cousins, which would be the relationship between your children and your cousin's children.

Haraklus · Answer

They're technically cousins (first cousins once removed, put precisely), but I call them my nieces. :)

AviatorTom · Answer

They would be second cousins, or maybe first cousins once removed. It depends on the genealogy tree between me and them.

RavVid · Answer

It is once removed because that signifies it is one generation distant. I think it would be a second cousin once removed.

Wiredone · Answer

I usually call them by their name like everyone else does. They are your second cousins.

sheikalana · Answer

They're my nephews and nieces and they call me Aunty.

gorydetails · Answer

Technically they are 1st Cousins, once removed. In normal speech I'll say "my cousin's kid"

PeachyPie93 · Answer

I just call them little cousins lol.

EmmaMary · Answer

Obviously they're your second cousins. smh

WhitneySnow · Answer

Second cousins

Drumlin2001 · Answer

Cousin once removed. Or Stephen and David

andreasderjuengere · Answer

They are xlan members to me :P

JayBones · Answer

Cousins. That's what they are. 2nd Cousins

PrettyCrumblBb · Answer

First cousin twice removed

Anonymous · Answer

First cousins once removed.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

Second cousins

exitseven · Answer

Second cousins

laly520 · Answer

uh second cousins?

Booklover_90 · Answer

2nd cousins.

Peridot25 · Answer

Second cousins

In_Trance · Answer

Shitbags

riverrat3 · Answer

Young cousins

What do you guys call the children of your cousins?

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What do you call your cousins cousin?

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What do you call your cousins cousin?

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