as in surnames
a woman's last name before she is married
After she divorced, she took back her maiden name.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
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
-
In sports, some siblings are so accomplished that they can be recognized by only their surnames.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The endless vowels of their surnames—Ruuttu, Saarinen, Ruotsalainen—sail through his mind like a song.—
Boris Fishman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Velasquez did even better, stringing together nine straight winning seasons that included a program-record 33 wins in 2021-22, three of the program’s four regional titles and its lone sectional title in 2022-23.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The Gators are the defending champion, trying to repeat their back-to-back titles from 2006-07.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Political bullies also enjoy demeaning names and character assassination.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
To be sure, some names have bucked the trend.—
Itzel Franco,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 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
-
There’s a particular collection that has several nicknames, like the winter hexagon, winter circle, winter oval and more.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
-
For those who do not recognize their names, maybe their nicknames will help.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This scenario, once promoted by small groups within some Protestant denominations, had by the 1990s become widely diffused in popular culture.—
Shalom Goldman,
The Conversation,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Silver and gold coins (like the classic Gold Eagle and Silver Eagle) are usually best for those who wish to purchase a smaller amount, with some coins coming in denominations as low as one ounce.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Aleksei and his wife, who asked to be identified only by their first names out of fear of retaliation should they be deported, watched their 5-year-old twins unravel at the remote, prisonlike facility.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Official statistics are hard to come by, but town residents — several of whom asked to be identified by only first names to protect their safety — estimated around 80 cars were set aflame in a municipality of just 20,000 people.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Maiden names.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maiden%20names. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
