# Nee

/ˈni/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nee
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

used to show the family name a married woman had before she got married. It comes from a French word meaning 'born'.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "Mrs. Smith, born Jones" but "Mrs. Smith, nee Jones" — While 'born' is understood, 'nee' is the standard formal term used in genealogy, legal contexts, and social announcements.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed immediately after a woman's married name to introduce her original family name.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.