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.
Stefani's mother's maiden name is Flynn, and his mother's was Bowie (and no, there's no relation between his family and David Bowie, who used that surname as a stage name to avoid confusion with the Monkees' Davey Jones). Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 31 Jan. 2025 Squirrel was well-liked by the Class of 1965, said classmate Peggy James, 77, of Westminster, who is also known by her maiden name of Hutchinson. Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025 The couple decided to name him after Holly’s maiden name — but family and friends call him Robbie for short. Alex Gurley, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025 By 13, Hussey was already acting professionally on stage using her mother’s maiden name. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near maiden name

Cite this Entry

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