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
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
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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In sports, some siblings are so accomplished that they can be recognized by only their surnames.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
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The endless vowels of their surnames—Ruuttu, Saarinen, Ruotsalainen—sail through his mind like a song.—
Boris Fishman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Northwest Catholic girls basketball team, which has won three straight state titles, will try to win its fourth the weekend of March 21-22 at Mohegan Sun Arena.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2026
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In Conversation This month’s best sci-fi and fantasy books include titles by Alexis Hall, Jenn Lyons, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and more.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There are a lot of names on the draft board heading into April that could make sense with one of the two first-round picks.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Mar. 2026
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This includes names, addresses, vehicle registrations and other personal data contained in association records.—
Peter S. Sachs,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 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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What nicknames will Trump use during the 2026 State of the Union address?—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
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Other nicknames for the snack include Rocky Mountain oysters, prairie oysters, cowboy caviar, or Montana tenders.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Gold coins, such as American Eagles or Canadian Maple Leafs, carry higher premiums than comparable bars but are often easier to sell quickly in smaller denominations.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
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About 400 people initially signed the statement, representing a range of Christian denominations, leaders of Black, Asian and Latino churches and associations and Christian universities and institutions.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The reason stores use first names — or first names and last initials — on name tags is to balance two reasonable, but competing, requirements.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Little Chet Wiley joins his two big brothers, who also have cute one-syllable first names, Tex Lawrence, age 3, and Beau Lee, age 2.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maiden names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maiden%20names. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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