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
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Such hospitality was reserved for a narrow category of humanity, resembling as closely as possible those local barons whose surnames crusted the stones of local cemeteries.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
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The top five American surnames — Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown and Jones — remained unchanged from 2010 to 2020, but Asian surnames surged to become the fastest-growing in the decade.—
Mike Schneider,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Morton also led the Broncos to two different division titles and three playoff berths during his six seasons with the franchise.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
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Her writing appears in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Bon Appetit, and Food & Wine, among other titles.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
Noun
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That data consisted of random phone numbers and matches with names, call times and call durations.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
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The field’s absence of celebrity personalities and marquee names has prevented it from generating the kind of political electricity and energy typically associated with genuinely compelling electoral contests that capture sustained public attention.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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Many customers even give the autonomous devices nicknames!—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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In the South, nicknames are earned, not given.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Different Protestant denominations had slowly come to accept birth control, though the Catholic Church remained staunchly opposed to all except the rhythm method.—
Samira Mehta,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
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One-ounce coins continue to lead demand due to their balance between value and tradability, although smaller denominations are still used by investors looking for flexibility.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Regulars greet bartenders by their first names before running to betting windows with high hopes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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The couple — Ramon and Elsy — asked to be identified by their first names only, citing fear of retaliation.—
Shoshana Walter,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maiden names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maiden%20names. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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