maiden name

noun

1. a woman's surname before her marriage.

maiden name

noun

1. a woman's surname before marriage

Word History and Origins

Origin of maiden name¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

Until this month, she kept the title Sarah, Duchess of York - but she reverted to her maiden name of Ferguson after Andrew voluntarily gave up the usage of the Duke of York title.

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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.

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Takaichi is a staunch conservative who has long opposed legislation allowing married women to keep their maiden names, insisting it undermines tradition.

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Takaichi is a staunch conservative who's long opposed legislation allowing women to keep their maiden names after marriage, saying it is against tradition.

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LB: It's my mum's maiden name, so the English side of the family.

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Related Words

• family name