'born to Agha or noble-born')[1] (Kurdish: آقازاده) is a term that entered the colloquialism in Iran and Kurdistan region in the 1990s[2] to describe the children of elite who emerge as the men of means and influence, usually in a way that resembles familial nepotism and corruption.
[3] This includes utilization of the positions within the hierarchy to gain inside information and preferential status which results in replication of wealth and power across generations[3] and means "fewer top positions are available to talented people without family connections".
[4] The phenomenon is exemplified with family members of high-ranking officials in Iran such as Hashemi Rafsanjani, Nategh Nouri and Vaez Tabasi.
[5] In the Kurdistan Region its children of high-ranking Kurdish government, KDP and PUK officials.
[6] In 2017, Zhen-e Khoob (Persian: ژن خوب meaning good genes), a new term was coined and became synonymous with Aghazadehs and "the privileges they enjoy".