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
Suppose Miss Jones marries Mr. Smith and decides, for whatever reason, to retain her maiden name.
—
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025
For some reason, Kiser used her maiden name in the lawsuit.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
Mel’s last name, Brooks, is an adaptation of his mother’s maiden name, Brookman.
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
In April 2022, one of Musk's twins petitioned the court to legally change her name to Vivian Jenna Wilson (the maiden name of her mother, Justine Wilson) and to recognize her gender as female.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maiden name
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Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 14 July 2025
For some reason, Kiser used her maiden name in the lawsuit.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
Mel’s last name, Brooks, is an adaptation of his mother’s maiden name, Brookman.
—Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
In April 2022, one of Musk's twins petitioned the court to legally change her name to Vivian Jenna Wilson (the maiden name of her mother, Justine Wilson) and to recognize her gender as female.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maiden name
Cite this Entry
“Maiden name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maiden%20name. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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