What does Ms mean before a name?

Answer 1

Ms or Ms. is used when the writer prefers to refer to a female with respect or indicate her gender without referring to her marriage status, or when that status is unknown (v. Mrs. or Miss). It is pronounced "Miz." Ms. Jones, instead of "Jones." Ms. Mary Smith, instead of Mrs. Mary Smith. During the women's rights movements of the 1960's and '70's, many women in the USA and Britain demanded to be known as "Ms.," on the principle that their marriage status had nothing to do with most issues. This was more common among younger, unmarried women. It became common in business, if less so otherwise, and is now used as a matter of course, as much for convenience as for social correctness. A similar issue is the use of "Gentlemen" in business correspondence. There are now so many women in the work force and management that such a salutation has a high probability of being incorrect, if not insulting. Some writers, including this one, prefer the greeting "Gentle People." Whether this will become common remains to be seen.