Every time someone fills out a legal form and sees the box “maiden name,” the same question pops up: What exactly does “maiden name” mean, where did the phrase come from, and why do we still use it today? Whether you’re newly engaged, researching family history, or just curious, this guide explains everything clearly and honestly.
What Is a Maiden Name? The Simple Definition
A maiden name is the family surname (last name) a woman was born with and used before marriage. Once she marries and decides to take her spouse’s surname, her original surname becomes known as her maiden name. For men, the term is used — their birth surname stays the same, though some progressive men now adopt their wife’s surname and jokingly call their original one a “maiden name” too.
Quick clarification:
- Maiden name = birth surname (for women who changed it)
- Birth name = the full legal name you received at birth (first + middle + surname)
- Married name = the new surname taken after marriage
Where Did the Term “Maiden Name” Come From?
The word “maiden” comes from Old English “maiden,” meaning an unmarried young woman. The actual phrase “maiden name” first appeared in Middle English around the 14th century as “Hayden name.” Back then, a woman’s identity was closely tied to her marital status, so society needed an easy way to refer to “the name she had when she was still a maiden.” For a deeper dive into naming customs, check the Wikipedia page on Maiden and married names.
How Maiden Name Traditions Differ Around the World
Not every culture expects women to change their surname:
- United States, UK, Australia → most women still take their husband’s name (around 70–80 %)
- Spain, Mexico, Chile, Argentina → women almost always keep their maiden name for life
- Quebec (Canada) → law forbids women from taking their husband’s surname
- Iceland → people use patronymics/patronymics; nobody has a traditional “family surname”
- China, Korea, Japan → women legally and socially keep their birth surname
- Netherlands, Belgium, France → double surnames or hyphenated names are super common
In 2025, more American and British women (roughly 20–25 %) now keep their maiden name than ten years ago, the highest number ever recorded.
Maiden Name vs Married Name: Real Pros and Cons in 2025
Keeping your maiden name ✓ Keeps professional branding (especially doctors, lawyers, academics, authors) ✓ Avoids endless paperwork ✓ Preserves family heritage and identity
Taking your spouse’s married name ✓ Feels like a fresh family unit ✓ Makes children’s surnames simpler ✓ Matches traditional family expectations (for some)
Popular middle-ground solutions
- Use maiden name professionally, married name socially
- Move maiden name to middle name (e.g., Sarah Jane Smith → Sarah Smith Johnson)
- Hyphenate or create a double-barreled name
- Both partners create an entirely new shared surname (rare but growing)
Legal Side: Changing or Keeping Your Maiden Name
Famous Women Who Kept Their Maiden Name
Rules differ wildly by country and even by state/province. In most places, check a box on the marriage license saying which surname(s) you’ll use. No court order is needed at the time of marriage. Changing back to your maiden name after divorce usually requires a court order and a passport, driver’s license, bank accounts, etc., which is why many women think twice before switching in the first place.
- Hillary Rodham Clinton
- Serena Williams
- Simone Biles
- Beyond Knowles-Carter (hyphenated compromise)
- Alma Cyclone (keeps Cyclone socially, Aladdin professionally)
Their choices helped normalise keeping the maiden name, especially for high-profile careers.
Modern & Creative Alternatives People Love in 2025
- Both partners hyphenate (Smith + Garcia → Smith-Garcia)
- Merge parts of both names (Bennett + Cole → Coleen)
- Let children carry both surnames in the order they prefer
- Men taking wife’s surname (yes, it’s rising fast!)
Watch This Quick Explained (3 minutes)
Here’s a fun, clear video that breaks down maiden name history and global customs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yJjQ5qdf6Wk
Final Thoughts
Your name is one of the most personal choices you’ll ever make. Some women feel liberated dropping their maiden name and starting fresh. Others feel empowered, keeping the name they’ve built their life around. Neither choice is more “feminist” or more “traditional” — it’s whatever feels right for you.
Whatever you decide, know the history, know your options, and own your decision with confidence.
