maiden name

noun

plural maiden names
Synonyms of maiden namenext
: 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.
Zolciak was also seeking primary physical custody of their children and joint legal custody; as well as spousal support and the restoration of her maiden name. Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026 Serafino — which is Cross’s mom’s maiden name — will open on the ground floor of a four-story residential building at the southwest corner of Washington and Albatross streets in Mission Hills. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026 Sarah, 45, even opted to keep her maiden name for business and branding after marrying her dentist husband, Patrick Kennedy, in 2009. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026 Prince Harry reportedly had a conversation with his uncle Charles Spencer—the younger brother of Princess Diana—about changing his and Meghan Markle’s surname to Spencer, which is Diana’s maiden name. Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maiden name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maiden%20name. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

maiden name

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

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