Mädchennamens

Mädchennamen, commonly used in German, refers to the surname a person bears from birth, typically the birth surname of a woman before marriage or name changes. In everyday language the term is closely related to the concept of a maiden name, and it is often used in genealogical or historical contexts to identify a person’s original family name.

The term is formed from Mädchen (girl) and Namen (names). In practice, the expression Mädchennamen is used for plural references, while the singular form Mädchennamen or Mädchenname is sometimes heard in colloquial speech. In official contexts the preferred label for the birth surname is frequently Geburtsname; however, Mädchennamen remains common in informal and genealogical discourse.

Legal and administrative aspects vary by country and period. In German-speaking regions, after marriage a person may continue with the birth surname, adopt the spouse’s surname, or use a combination such as a double surname. The maiden name can still appear on official documents, and the term Geburtsname is often used in forms and records to denote the name before any marriage-related changes. If a name change occurs later due to divorce, remarriage, or personal choice, the relationship to the original Mädchennamen remains relevant for identification and historical records.

Use in research and culture: For genealogists, the Mädchennamen is a key anchor when tracing maternal lineage and assembling family trees. It aids in locating civil, church, and census records that may list individuals under their birth name rather than their current name.

See also: Familienname, Geburtsname, Namensrecht, Doppelname, Ehenamen.