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.
The action star shortened his mother's maiden name Vincent to get his new first name. Jodi Guglielmi, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025 Mary, then known by her maiden name Mary Godwin, was only 18 and still recovering from the loss of her first child. Thomas Page McBee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025 Two years later, Wilson legally changed her name and gender, choosing to take her mother’s maiden name. Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 16 Sep. 2025 The choice to use her mother’s maiden name was both personal tribute and strategic positioning. Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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 1 Oct. 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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