maiden name
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for maiden name, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The family name a woman was born with, before taking a spouse's surname on marriage.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From "maiden," an unmarried woman, plus "name" — the name held before marriage.
Full origin of maiden name →Frequently asked questions
What is a maiden name?
The surname someone had at birth, before changing it on marriage. Forms often ask for it as a security question or to trace family records.
Is there a term for a man's maiden name?
There is no common equivalent, because the custom of changing surname on marriage has applied mainly to women. "Birth name" is the neutral term and works for anyone.
What does née mean?
French for "born," used before a woman's maiden name — "Jane Smith, née Brown" means she was born Jane Brown.