An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Nichte

by Friedrich Kluge

Nichte, feminine, ‘niece,’ Modern High German only (unknown to Upper German dialects in which Base is used), from Low German nicht, in Middle High German niftel, Old High German niftila, feminine (diminutive of Old High German nift); compare Anglo-Saxon nift, Old Icelandic nipt. These are feminine forms of Neffe, pointing to Gothic *nifti, pre-Teutonic neptî, feminine, from nepôt, masculine. The meaning of Nichte fluctuates as in the case of Neffe; Middle High German niftel, ‘niece, mother's sister, first cousin,’ Old Icelandic nipt, ‘sister’s daughter, niece,’ Old High German nift, ‘neptis privigna.’ Compare also Latin neptis, ‘granddaughter,’ with nepos; Sanscrit naptî, feminine, ‘daughter, granddaughter,’ with nâpât.