noun
maiden name
Maiden name (noun) means the family name a woman was born with, before taking a spouse's surname on marriage. Example: “She kept her maiden name professionally.”
noun
1
The family name a woman was born with, before taking a spouse's surname on marriage.
"She kept her maiden name professionally."
How to use maiden name
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe surname a woman had before she married.
When to use it
Some now prefer the neutral "birth name," which applies regardless of gender or marital status.
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She kept her _____ professionally.
Etymology
From "maiden," an unmarried woman, plus "name" — the name held before marriage.
Synonyms
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birth name
née
Related words
Rhymes for maiden name
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of maiden name?
"maiden name" (noun) means the family name a woman was born with, before taking a spouse's surname on marriage.
