旧 姓(きゅうせい)

きゅうせい

noun

maiden name, former surname

1. maiden name, former surname

A person's surname before marriage or a legal name change. In Japan, married couples must share one surname by law, so one partner's pre-marriage name becomes their former surname.

旧姓(きゅうせい)は田中(たなか)です。

My maiden name is Tanaka.

職場(しょくば)では旧姓(きゅうせい)を使(つか)い続(つづ)けている。

I continue to use my maiden name at work.

旧姓(きゅうせい)の使用(しよう)を認(みと)める企業(きぎょう)が増(ふ)えてきたが、法的(ほうてき)には認(みと)められていない。

More companies are allowing the use of maiden names, but it is not legally recognized.

Usage

Under Japanese law (民法(みんぽう)), married couples must adopt the same surname. In practice, the wife usually takes the husband's name, making her pre-marriage name her 旧姓(きゅうせい). The topic of 選択的(せんたくてき)夫婦(ふうふ)別姓(べっせい) (optional separate surnames for married couples) is an ongoing social debate.

Common collocations

旧姓(きゅうせい)を使(つか)う: to use one's maiden name
旧姓(きゅうせい)に戻(もど)す: to revert to one's maiden name
旧姓(きゅうせい)使用(しよう): use of maiden name

Similar words

姓(せい): surname, family name
名字(みょうじ): surname (everyday term)
本名(ほんみょう): real name

Related Words

Compare: 本名(ほんみょう) (real name)

general

Added 2026.2.23 8:39 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

12500/12957_kyuusei