what is a maiden name

A maiden name is the family name of a woman before she gets married and begins to use her husbands family name. It is the surname prior to marriage of a person who takes their spouses last name, especially the surname of a married or divorced woman prior to marriage. For example, if a womans name is Jane Smith and she marries John Doe, her maiden name would be Smith and her married name would be Doe. If Jane and John get divorced and Jane decides to change her name back to her original family name, she would be taking back her maiden name, which is Smith.