What’s in a name?

Do you want to keep your maiden surname or take on that of your husband? Apparently the vast majority of women marrying today still adopt their husband’s last name. But there are a number of women who defy the traditional route to do it differently.

We look at why the so many women adopt their husband’s surname and then look at the other options available to you.

The pros and cons of taking your husband’s name

The obvious pro here is that your relationship is blatantly clear – you both have the same name, and if and when the children come along, you are recognisable as a family unit
It can symbolise commitment to adopt your husband’s name
If you don’t like your own surname then taking on that of your husband’s is an obvious choice
The major con is all the documentation, time and effort involved in letting everyone know that your name has changed
You may feel a loss of identity taking on your husband’s name
You may just not like your husband’s surname (adding ‘Mullet’ to your name could jar just a little)
You may struggle with the emotional, social, political implications of changing your name
Professional reasons may necessitate your maintaining your maiden name; for instance you write under your maiden name, or you’re a well known doctor etc.

Other options available to you:

Hyphenation – this is where you both end up with a new double-barrel surname like Blythe-Smith. This can end up sounding a little snooty, and if your names don’t have a certain ring about them when combined it can just be too difficult on the tongue for people to pronounce
Doubling up – this is where a woman keeps her maiden name as her second name, whilst adopting her husband’s last name, without the hypen. But without the hyphen, most people are simply going to revert to calling you by your husband’s name
Duality – you keep your maiden name in your professional life, and use your husband’s name socially – fairly common practice amongst celebs
He takes yours – your husband can take on your surname, a distinct advantage when his name is difficult to pronounce and you have a cool surname