Word
nee
Phoneticsnee
/ˈni/
Definition
adj. used to show the family name a married woman had before she got married. It comes from a French word meaning 'born'.
adj. indicates the maiden name of a married woman. Derived from the feminine past participle of the French 'naître' (to be born).
Examples
“The invitation was for Mrs. Jane Smith, nee Jones.”
“In the family tree, she is listed as Catherine Miller, nee Thompson, to clarify her lineage.”
“The legal document required the claimant to list her full name, including her nee surname, to verify her identity against older property records.”
Examples
simple
“The invitation was for Mrs. Jane Smith, nee Jones.”
contextual
“In the family tree, she is listed as Catherine Miller, nee Thompson, to clarify her lineage.”
complex
“The legal document required the claimant to list her full name, including her nee surname, to verify her identity against older property records.”
Usage
Typically placed immediately after a woman's married name to introduce her original family name.
Pitfall
Mrs. Smith, born Jones
Mrs. Smith, nee Jones
While 'born' is understood, 'nee' is the standard formal term used in genealogy, legal contexts, and social announcements.