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
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.
The couple decided to name him after Holly’s maiden name — but family and friends call him Robbie for short. Alex Gurley, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025 By 13, Hussey was already acting professionally on stage using her mother’s maiden name. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2024 Two days later, Lopez also filed to legally restore her maiden name and drop Affleck from her moniker. Jami Ganz, Boston Herald, 25 Aug. 2024 The final stage of the attack asks the user to provide details to their payment card as well as date of birth, Social Security number, mother's maiden name, and driver's license number. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for maiden name 

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of maiden name was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near maiden name

Cite this Entry

“Maiden name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maiden%20name. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

maiden name

noun
: a woman's family name before she is married

More from Merriam-Webster on maiden name

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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