Is she my niece or niece-in-law? (wife, girlfriend, father, person)

[Eddyline]

Stupid question about family relationship names.
My sister's son is my nephew. Is his wife my niece or niece-in-law?
Does it matter that they are not married but have a kid together?
Although in this state they were common-law married.

Now that they are split up/divorced, is she my ex-niece or my ex niece-in-law?
She will always be the mother of my grandniece, but I'm not sure how else to describe who she is.

Thanks!

[Calvert Hall '62]

I always thought she should be called "niece by marriage" shortened to "niece" in informal usage although I'm not an authority on the subject.

[Kibbiekat]

I don't think niece in law is a real term. If they aren't married, she isn't your anything.

[spencgr]

She is not your niece. Look at it this way...if your grandson gor married, his wife does not become your granddaughter.

[willow wind]

I agree with the above last two posts. She is no longer any relation to you. Previously she would have simply have been your niece ( if you were close to her ) or your nephew's wife if your were more distant. If you need a way to describe her now, she is your grandniece's mother.

[Murk]

Your nephews girlfriend. That's what I would go with.

If you have a close relationship, I could see calling her your niece, like sometimes close, long-term friends of your parents become aunt and uncle. Or at least they did in my family.

[Eddyline]

Thanks for the replies. But they do confirm there is no "set in stone" answer.
I have trouble with "my nephew's girl friend" (now ex) and "my grandniece's mother",
because both define her by way of a third person.
To keep it simple I'll just call her Alice!

[Kibbiekat]

I can't imagine why you would need to talk about her often enough for it to matter.

[Eddyline]

Originally Posted by Kibbiekat

I can't imagine why you would need to talk about her often enough for it to matter.

She is a very pretty younger woman and we live in a small town, so I often do have to explain.

[MLSFan]

I thought the "by marriage" was just "Step"

as in step father, step mother, step brother, step niece, maybe it it's the "half" title?

not sure the "in law" fit because it isn't "by law" if they aren't married