Legal Definitions - née

The term née is an adjective used to indicate the maiden name (birth name) of a married woman. It is placed after her married name to specify the surname she had before marriage, particularly in formal or biographical contexts.

• Example 1 (Academic/Authorial Context):

  Professor Anya Sharma, née Gupta, recently received an award for her early work on artificial intelligence, which was published under her maiden name.

  Explanation: This example clarifies that while Professor Sharma is now known by her married name, Gupta was her surname at birth and the name under which her initial publications appeared, providing important context for her academic history.

• Example 2 (Biographical/Historical Context):

  The biography detailed the early life of the renowned philanthropist, Mrs. Evelyn Hayes, noting that she was born Evelyn Carter. Therefore, she would be referred to as Evelyn Hayes, née Carter.

  Explanation: This illustrates how "née" is used in biographical accounts to provide the birth surname of a woman who later adopted her husband's surname, helping readers understand her full identity across different life stages.

• Example 3 (Formal Identification/Record-keeping):

  When filling out the historical society's membership form, Mrs. Patricia O'Connell included her maiden name, specifying 'Patricia O'Connell, née Fitzgerald,' to help researchers trace her family lineage.

  Explanation: Here, "née" is used in a practical context to provide essential information for identification or genealogical purposes, linking her current married name to the surname she had at birth for clarity in records.