Mlle

Mlle is the abbreviation of Mademoiselle, a French honorific used before a woman’s name to indicate that she is unmarried. It is roughly equivalent to Miss in English and is part of a traditional pair with Madame (Mme), which signals a married woman.

Usage and form can vary by context. In French writing, Mlle is placed before the surname or full name, for example, Mlle Dupont. The period is common in French typography (Mlle.), though some English texts omit it. In modern usage, many institutions and style guides discourage indicating marital status and may prefer Mme for adult women in general.

Historically, the distinction between Mlle and Mme reflected social norms around marriage and propriety. In recent decades, the practical use of Mlle has declined in many Francophone regions as part of broader shifts toward gender equality and neutral address. Some organizations and official forms still use Mlle, but it is increasingly common to encounter Mme or to omit the title altogether and simply use a name.

Etymology and scope: Mlle derives from Mademoiselle, from the phrase ma demoiselle, meaning “my young lady” or “my damsel,” with origins in the Old French term for a young, unmarried woman. Today, Mlle remains visible in historical texts, literature, and certain formal or traditional contexts, but it is less prevalent in everyday speech or contemporary formal writing.