Meaning & use
maiden name
The surname a woman had at birth, before she may have changed it after marriage.
See it in a sentence
On the form, she listed her maiden name alongside her current married surname.
Genealogists often need a woman's maiden name to trace her family history accurately.
A note on using this word
Many people now keep their maiden name, hyphenate it with a spouse's surname, or never change their name at all.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “maiden name”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.