maiden name

noun

plural maiden names
: the surname prior to marriage of a person who takes their spouse's last name
especially : the surname of a married or divorced woman prior to marriage
After she divorced, she took back her maiden name.

Examples of maiden name in a Sentence

After she divorced, she took back her maiden name.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to the Daily Mail, which first reported the news, Chelsea moved to change her last name back to her birth mother's maiden name, Neuens, after Rosie, who adopted Chelsea as a baby, removed her from her will earlier in January. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025 There are also concerns that married women who have changed their names will encounter trouble when trying to register because their birth certificates list their maiden names. Time, 26 Mar. 2025 His wife of course retained her maiden name (Susan Connelly). Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2025 What are your father’s parents’ maiden names? Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maiden name

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of maiden name was in 1653

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Cite this Entry

“Maiden name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maiden%20name. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

maiden name

noun
: a woman's family name before she is married

More from Merriam-Webster on maiden name

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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