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Synonyms

maiden name

American  

noun

  1. a woman's surname before her marriage.


maiden name British  

noun

  1. a woman's surname before marriage

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of maiden name

First recorded in 1680–90

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One told me she has started using her maiden name professionally because her married name was used in a scam.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The writer’s earlier novels were published under her maiden name, Lizzie Pook.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

The two married, both adopting the last name MacAskill—Askell’s maternal grandmother’s maiden name.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Until this month, Ferguson kept the title Sarah, Duchess of York - but she reverted to her maiden name of Ferguson after Andrew was stripped of his Duke of York title.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

“I don’t know her maiden name, but her first name was Sing. Any of you ever know anybody with a name like that?”

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison