French word before a maiden name NYT crossword clue

This clue is referring to a French word that is traditionally placed before a woman’s maiden name. It is used to indicate her birth surname before she was married. In many cultures, including French, this is a formal way of acknowledging a woman’s original family name.

The correct answer is NEE. “Née” is the French word used to indicate a woman’s maiden name, typically placed before the surname she was born with. It’s commonly used in formal writing to refer to a woman before marriage, and it fits the clue perfectly, as it directly translates to “born” in English.