Maiden name?
What is the proper way to say Maiden name in Spanish? Some places tell me nobre virginal which seems strange and others say nombre de soltera. I am writing to a girl in Mexico if it makes any difference.
2 Answers
I don't think it is a concept you can easily translate, because -at least in Spain- women NEVER change their surname after getting married, so when I am asked what is your mother's maiden name as a security question in my bank, the question is pretty stupid: the same surname she has right now, which is also part of my surname!
You see, María Gómez García marries Javier López Herrera, and after marriage she is still María Gómez García. Their first children will be called, let's say, Enrique, so his full name will be Enrique López Gómez. Now go and ask Enrique what is his mother's maiden name: "Gómez"!!!
In any case, the proper translation would be "apellido de soltera", but people will be wondering why do you want to know her maiden surname if you already know her surname (after marriage).
soltera? do you mean single'
