as in surnames
a woman's last name before she is married
After she divorced, she took back her maiden name.
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Recent Examples of maiden names
For some families, maiden names or other significant surnames are carried on as first names.
—
Lisa Milbrand, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Lisa Milbrand, Parents, 1 Apr. 2026
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
In a step that rights activists call an attempt to block a dual-surname system, Takaichi is calling for a law to allow the greater use of maiden names as aliases instead.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maiden names
Noun
-
For some families, maiden names or other significant surnames are carried on as first names.—
Lisa Milbrand,
Parents,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Hispanic surnames Huff accused Zamora of mounting a primary challenge against her — rather than seeking an open seat or one held by a Latino judge — because of Huff’s race.—
Molly Smith,
San Antonio Express-News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
UConn's hopes at becoming the first team since John Wooden's UCLA dynasty to win three titles in four seasons came up short, done in by massive foul trouble and its own terrible shooting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
This was UConn’s first loss in seven championship appearances, with all six titles coming since 1999.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her heart features the side profiles of two residents wearing Indigenous attire in the foreground, and a map of the city’s East Side, with street names like Indiana Avenue, Holmes Street and Troost Avenue behind them.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Many of the most famous names in Mississippi civil-rights history got their start in Mound Bayou, or found support and safety there.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, unlike similar programs, these folks have to stay true to their Southern roots and family names, a difficult feat in today’s modern world.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Everyone on both sides of my family has always used family names, which has been really important to me to continue only using family names with my children.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
According to a royal author, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been given some pretty cold nicknames within the palace.—
Tessa Petak,
InStyle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The inside jokes, the nicknames, the handshakes, singing the songs together.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Declining membership and attendance among most church denominations have threatened many historic religious buildings across the state, according to Wright Mitchell of Georgia Trust.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Mainline Protestant denominations have been in decline for years.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Viewers tend to refer to anchors like Savannah Guthrie, Robin Roberts and Gayle King by their first names and regard watching them as part of a morning ritual.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
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For some families, maiden names or other significant surnames are carried on as first names.—
Lisa Milbrand,
Parents,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maiden names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maiden%20names. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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