What is maiden name mean?

A maiden name is a woman's family name before she is married and takes on her spouse's surname. It is the surname that a woman is born with and typically retains until she gets married. In some cultures, women may choose to hyphenate their maiden name with their husband's surname, or they may continue to use their maiden name professionally while adopting their husband's surname socially. Maiden names are often used to trace genealogy and establish family connections.