Decision to Change or Not Change Your Name is a Major Decision
Because names are very much a part of your identity and heritage, the decision to retain your birth name or not is a major one.It is not unusual today for a woman to keep her maiden name professionally, and to use her married name socially. Whether or not to change names is one of the first decisions a couple needs to make.
Name Change Options
There are many name change options available to couples today. We're using the names Mary Jones and Pete Smith as examples.- Both Use Your Husband's Family Name:
This is the most widely used name change option in the U.S. (Pete and Mary Smith) - Both Retain Your Birth Names
This name change option is a popular choice when you both have established professional identities. Some women who choose this option use their husband's last name for social purposes. (Pete Smith and Mary Jones) - Both of You Use Wife's Family Name
This name change option is not widely used, some couples have strong feelings about using the wife's last name. (Pete and Mary Jones) - Wife Uses Maiden Name as Middle Name Along With Husband's Family Name
This name change option is growing in popularity. (Mary Jones Smith and Pete Smith) - Hyphenate Your Two Names
This is another name change option that is growing in popularity, but there is concern that it could create confusion for some people and computers. (Mary Jones-Smith and Pete Jones-Smith) - Both Use Each Other's Names as Middle Names
Since you are both keeping your own last name, this is more of a symbolic gesture than a practical one. (Pete Jones Smith and Mary Smith Jones) - Pick a New Name
Some couples use their last names to create a new name (Smiones) or they pick an entirely different name. (Pete and Mary Carter) - Latin American/Spanish Name Tradition
Couples in many Spanish speaking countries give their children both their father's last name and their mother's maiden name to preserve the heritage of both families. When marrying, a woman has the option of keeping all her names and adding her husband's last name or dropping her mother's maiden name.
General Name Change Guidelines
Bottom line, the decision is up to the two of you. Here are some general guidelines when considering changing a name:- In some locales, changing your name generally requires some sort of documentation showing both your old name and your new name. Most people use a certified copy of their marriage license or divorce papers.
- Other locales use the common law rule in dealing with name changes.
- As your children mature, it is important to let them know that you will not be offended or upset if they decide upon marriage to not continue to use their birth names.
