Women, did/would you change your name upon marriage?

[Kay_Cee]

I know a couple in which the man had a long, complicated last name, so when the two married, she kept her maiden name, and he had his last name changed to hers.

 

[ShrodingersCat]

I agree and in our culture taking your husband’s name is a symbol of that joining your husband under Christ.

One can view it that way; but it’s an optional symbol. The only symbol that is necessary is speaking the vows at the wedding.

 

[Rau]

One can view it that way; but it’s an optional symbol. The only symbol that is necessary is speaking the vows at the wedding.

That’s right. And the fact that other cultures (including Catholic members thereof) view retention by the wife of her surname as entirely “normal” adds weight to the view it is really an optional symbol.

 

[Phemie]

And if so, I’m curious what your reasoning is?

I would have kept my maiden name, since I would have liked to pass it on to my children, but DH was in the military and, at the time (1975), it would have been a logistical nightmare.

Now, with one province not allowing women to assume their husband’s surname, it’s an everyday thing for women not to change their name.

 

[Phemie]

I know a man who took his wife’s name and a few families that combined their names to create new ones.

One notable one I can think of:
Measha Bruggergosman, Canadian soprano.

Born Measha Gosman, married Marcus Bruegger, combined both names so that they are both known as Brüggergosman (also spelled Brueggergosman).

 

[Rau]

I would have kept my maiden name, since I would have liked to pass it on to my children, but DH was in the military and, at the time (1975), it would have been a logistical nightmare.

Now, with one province not allowing women to assume their husband’s surname, it’s an everyday thing for women not to change their name.

It is impractical for both parents to pass on their surname to their children for more than one generation.

 

[31crystal]

I did, and I was very excited to! It took me about a year to get all the documentation done because I was dreading the paperwork part. But, since I was a teacher and all the kids were calling me my new name, it didn’t seem urgent. I think it’s a great way to say I love you, and it’s something women get to choose to do!

 

[chloebelle]

I am far from being married yet, but when the time comes I believe I’ll take my husband’s surname. I like the tradition. However, I have debated it because my father had all girls and with his going through the foster care system and being adopted he places a lot of pride in his last name. I think it would sadden him just a tiny bit. My boyfriend and I have been together several years and I like his last name. If we ever marry I plan on giving myself 2 middle names (original middle and maiden name) because my middle name also has family significance, and taking his last name. I’d like to have the same last name as my children.

When she got married, my former boss smooshed her maiden name and husband’s last name together, and they both took the newly invented name. I thought that was interesting.

My grandmother was a nurse, and when you get a nursing license in our state apparently none of them can be issued to the same exact name, so she took her maiden name as a middle to make it more unique for that purpose.

 

[JanetF]

30 years ago when I got married it wasn’t quite in vogue to keep maiden names. Though I’m not sure I would have kept my maiden name even had we married just a few years later. It’s not that big of a hassle to change your name, so that’s wasn’t an issue. I did change it so that the first initial of my maiden name is now my middle name, so Janet X. last name is how I sign everything.

I’ve been using my married name much longer than I used my maiden name.

 

[mommy_k]

Yes I took my husbands last name. I also have been known to sign my name as Mrs. (Hubby’s first name) and last name. These are on social and school papers for the kids.

I value traditions of the past.

 

[Phemie]

Yes I took my husbands last name. I also have been known to sign my name as Mrs. (Hubby’s first name) and last name. These are on social and school papers for the kids.

I value traditions of the past.

Interesting. I see my mother’s signature like that on my old report cards and it just makes me sad that she wouldn’t use her own given name. She didn’t even use Dad’s full name, just signed Mrs. J.L. Surname.

 

[mommy_k]

Interesting. I see my mother’s signature like that on my old report cards and it just makes me sad that she wouldn’t use her own given name. She didn’t even use Dad’s full name, just signed Mrs. J.L. Surname.

Why does it make u sad?

 

[Phemie]

Why does it make u sad?

Because even on legal documents she never signed her own name.
Not that I consider my report cards “legal documents”.

 

[SusanneT]

Yes I took my husbands last name. I also have been known to sign my name as Mrs. (Hubby’s first name) and last name. These are on social and school papers for the kids.

I value traditions of the past.

I agree and have also done both.