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
general
Added 2026.2.23 8:39
12500/12957_kyuusei