Keeping your surname It may be that the woman has a well-established career which a surname change might disrupt slightly, it may be the easier option, or it may just be preference for the maiden name itself. Also, it is becoming increasingly common for a husband to change his surname to match his wife's.
Many women who keep their maiden names do so because they marry later in life or at a time when their careers are already in full swing, and it could be risky—both career-wise and financially speaking—to change names. That's partly due to the value of personal branding or, in simple terms, name recognition.
It allows for personal autonomy
Women for years have been deciding not to change their name to preserve some personal autonomy. After all, you were born with a certain last name, have lived years with that same last name, and you shouldn't be expected to give it up just because you want to get married.
In fact, it's becoming much more popular for a recently married woman to keep her last name. It's come down to a matter of preference and personal choice.
According to prevailing jurisprudence, “a married woman has the option, but not a duty, to use the surname of the husband.” Therefore, upon marriage, married women have the option to continuously use her maiden name or: Her maiden first name and surname and add her husband's surname; or.
Your passport can legally display your former name, such as a maiden name or any name before marriage. Marriage doesn't require you to get a new passport with your spouse's surname. You can continue using your passport with your maiden name as ID until it expires.
“Mrs.” is the proper title for a married woman whether she has taken her spouse's last name or not.
Many people consider the act of keeping their maiden name to be the 'feminist' choice. By refusing to take your husband's name, you're making a statement that you are an individual, and that your husband doesn't own you. It's an empowering move that will help you feel like an equal in your relationship.
Whether or not you take your spouse's name is entirely a personal choice, much like the style of engagement ring you choose or the type of wedding you have.
This change in women's identity, by taking a husband's name, has emerged from patriarchal history where wives had no surname except “wife of X”. The wife was the husband's possession and right up to the late 19th-century, women in England ceded all property and parental rights to husbands on marriage.
The group took its name from Lucy Stone (1818–1893), the first married woman in the United States to carry her birth name through life (she married in 1855). The New York Times called the group the "Maiden Namers".
For example, if you were to inherit a business in your family surname or start a career separate and distinct from your husband's, you might want to reacquire your former name. Alternatively, you may have become widowed after a brief marriage and would prefer to resume the name you acquired at birth.
It's important to accept that such a choice is ultimately an individual one. “Do what feels right, and don't let society, your partner, friends, family, in-laws, or anyone pressure you into a decision,” Sobel advises.
Con: You have to tell everyone about the change
People will ask questions. They will forget that you changed your name. It may take more work than you think to contact friends, family members, co-workers, supervisors, school administrators and everyone else who needs to know.
Use the word nee when you refer to a person's original, birth name. If your neighbor was Mary Jones until she got married to Larry White, you could introduce her to someone else as "Mary White, nee Jones." If a woman marries and adopts her husband's last name, her former name becomes a thing of the past.
Hyphenated last names may also be called a double surname or double-barrelled surname. For example, Sarah Smith marries Adam Jones. A hyphenated last name would be Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith. It's your choice which name comes first.
The biggest advantage of hyphenated last names is the absence of having to choose between two last names. It allows you to retain your identity while still legally adopting your partner's moniker.
63.3 percent of Men's Health followers said they would be upset if their wives kept their maiden names. 96.3 percent of Men's Health followers said they wouldn't take a woman's last name if she asked them to. What are your thoughts on women who keep their last names? Would you want to hold onto yours?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with going down the traditional route, so long as the ramifications and reasons for doing so are understood by both parties. Discussions about what to do with a surname may initially be nerve-wracking, but I urge you to push through.
Your marriage certificate is a record of your marriage, not your new name or your title. Just because you marry doesn't mean that you automatically take a husband's name or that you are now a 'Mrs'. You have the right to choose the name you want.
Contemporarily, “at least in the US, about 20% to 30% of women retain their name, meaning the vast majority take their spouse's name when they marry,” Carr said.
Many women choose to hold onto their married name after a divorce because of their children. Sharing the same last name can make women feel more connected to their children. It can also provide a sense of stability for younger children who will not understand why their mother has a different last name.
A growing number of women chose to use their married name socially but keep their maiden (birth) name for professional purposes and use (and to keep being searchable on Google and on social media). It is perfectly legal to keep your maiden name on official ID documents.
You'll need to get a new passport to travel abroad or prove your identity if you change any of the following: your name. your gender. your appearance, if you cannot be recognised from your passport photo any more.