birth name

American  

[burth naym] / 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

See Examples For:

birth name

Once when young, Sorcinelli met the former Robert Prevost -- the birth name of Pope Leo -- then just an Augustinian priest, but the men have not spoken since, he said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Under his birth name, Anthony Benedetto, he was also a painter, and he had in hand a portrait to present to the Librarian of Congress.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

He was adopted and his birth name was Stuart Proudlove.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

The San Jose native, birth name Myha’la Herrold, also expressed gratitude to her family and friends for “helping make this day so very magical.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 9, 2026

To her embarrassment, she could not remember the baby’s birth name.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng