Epigone is a noun that refers to a less distinguished follower or imitator of someone.

The Greek word epigonoi (EP ee go knee) means ‘those born afterward.’ The word later came to refer to a descendant of someone who doesn’t distinguish themselves as their ancestors did. More recently it can refer to someone who doesn’t distinguish themselves as well as someone they have emulated or followed.

For years, everyone in Mr. Gykone’s science class feared we’d become epigones. It seemed impossible that we could ever come close to achieving the things he had achieved.