Nee

usgb/neɪ/
adjective

Used after a woman's married name to mention the family name she had before she was married.

Sarah Ferguson, nee Watts.
Visual representation of "nee" - Used after a woman's married name to mention the family name she had before she was married.

Often appears as...

  • nee smith
  • nee johnson

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "nee"
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Marital Status Clue

Indicates the surname a woman had before marriage, often seen in obituaries or wedding announcements.

Illustration for Marital Status Clue
Julia Roberts, nee Miller, stars in the new movie.
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Cultural Sensitivity

Recognize that the use of 'nee' reflects cultural practices about naming and is less common in some places.

Illustration for Cultural Sensitivity
She is known as Annette Bening, nee Bening, keeping her maiden name.
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Historical Context

'nee' can be useful in genealogy or historical texts to track family lineage or name changes.

Illustration for Historical Context
In the family tree, Charlotte Bronte appears as Charlotte Bronte, nee Bronte.
Visual representation of the word "Nee"

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