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.
Emily previously explained that Gibson is her middle name and her mother's maiden name, and Kyle is Tyler's grandmother's last name. Caroline Blair, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025 The trend for women in the United States to keep their maiden name has grown alongside the rise of the feminist movement. Shelby Wax, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2025 Ask Lucy ‘Tough’ Bronze — her middle name taken from her mother Diane’s maiden name. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 28 July 2025 His wife Megan Byron has retreated to their Maine mansion and has gone back to her maiden name, Kerrigan, on social media. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 24 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maiden name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maiden%20name. Accessed 10 Sep. 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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