birth name

American  

[burth neym] / ˈbɜrθ ˌneɪm /

Sometimes birthname

noun

1. the surname inherited by a person at birth, especially a woman’s maiden name.

2. the first or middle name that is given to a person at birth, but which may be changed later according to preference, upon adoption, after gender transition, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of birth name

First recorded in 1865–70 birth name for def. 1; 1975–80 birth name for def. 2

Example Sentences

"But Prevost is for Real Madrid," he added - using his birth name Robert Francis Prevost.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Offset, whose birth name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, shares three children with estranged wife Cardi B. The rapper gained prominence as a member of the hip-hop trio Migos during the 2010s.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Cain is half-Japanese on his father’s side, his birth name being Dean Tanaka.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2025

Demitri says he went back to using his birth name and gender until he turned 18 and "knew he couldn't be sent back" to the camp.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2025

Jule had realized the truth of it early on, even before Immie had told Jule her birth name, and before Brooke Lannon ever turned up at the Vineyard house.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart