Decision Time: Hypenated? Two Last Names? or Maiden Name?

Well, I'm keeping my maiden name and taking his last name, because they are one in the same.

We have the same last name...same spelling. We have no kin in common we just share the same surname.

I love my middle name and I'm quite happy I don't have to change anything except from Miss to Mrs.
❤👰

View Quoted Comment Well that's the beauty of it, do whatever you want. And Americans don't get it cause it's been like that for them always but look at the famous ppl. They don't take their spouses last name, mostly cause they are sure to divorce though lol

Both my wife and I hyphenated myname-hername. It was a HUGE decision for me. Before our wedding i posted here being so distraught and stressed about the choice. And I am Extremely happy with the choice we made! What else is helpful is that it’s easy with things that have just my maiden name for people to still realize I’m the same person. And I haven’t had any issues with flying or doctor offices losing me because of it. It’s been a pretty easy transition. Lastly I just Love that we each get to share our names and family with each other. I absolutely love it 🥰

I want to have both I love my last name

I decided to take my fiances last name and put my last name as my middle name. So First Name, Middle Name (maiden name), Last Name (new last name). I chose to keep my last name as a way to preserve my identity if that makes sense.

I was 29 when I got married and my life was very much engrained with my maiden name (house payment, car payment, bank account, etc.). I felt like giving up my maiden name would take away a part of me so I opted to hyphenate.

Pros:
You keep your maiden name but also add to your "collection"
It's easier to remember to write the correct name when you start signing papers
Your name will be more unique

Cons:
You still have to update drivers license, accounts, etc.
It takes longer to sign your name
Some computer systems do not allow for a hyphenated name
Sometimes your last name will be ran all together or just spaced (IE Jonessmith or Jones Smith)

Recently, I picked up an RX, gave the cashier my surname and she thought I had given her my first and last name; until I gave her my first name. Not really sure this is a CON but it can cause some confusion because it's not the norm. For me, it's been worth it though. It's all part of who am I. I wouldn't be Mrs. Whoever if I had not been Miss. Whatever first lol.

I’m taking my FH’s last name. I don’t have a relationship with my father so the name isn’t sentimental to me. I’ll actually be glad to change it to a name that means something to me 😊

I'm taking my FH last name we have a daughter together and she has his last name too. I'm proud to take his last name.

I’m hyphenating because my daughter has my last name and I don’t want to leave her as the only one. It’ll be long, since my maiden name is 13 letters already. But it’s sure to spark some conversation 😂

I will be taking his last name. If I didnt have a brother to carry on the name then I wouldve stayed with my maiden name.

I decided to take my husbands last name but use my maiden name for professional items, which is totally legal. Your maiden name is connected to your social security card, always.

However, I'm 31 days married and guess what? I'm all in. My whole objective was to ensure my name changing wouldn't confuse our board members at work, but I hadn't considered the staff. So last week I had to change my name at work as well.

So my new plan is to just change it up when I write my books. Some I'll use maiden name and some I'll use my new name. Kind of like separating out the type of books by my name.

Who knows, but in the end it is what it is, and I don't mind.

BTW - I agreed to change my last name because my husband left it up to me. He said he's okay either way, and if it was him in my shoes he wouldn't change his name because it's been his name forever and why change it? I changed it because my maiden name is from when my grandfather came to America and was adopted, so I feel more tied to his real last name, than to the adopted one. So in the end changing to my husbands name, wasn't a big deal.

Great feedback everyone. I truly appreciate it.

Jennifer - Good point. It's another viewpoint to consider how a name change could affect children from a previous relationship.

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Same last name? Wow! No adjustments there unless you decided to double your name. Mrs. Sara Davis-Davis...LOL!

Congrats!

That's wonderful Lisa. Congratulations!

I’m with the same problem idk if I should hyphenate or make my maiden name my middle name with his last name or if I should just keep it simple and just change my last name all together I feel like getting rid of my last name is like loosing a part of my identity I’ve had my last name for 24 years of my life and to change it all together idk 😐

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Hi Cynthia - I think you'll find some really interesting perspectives in the responses in this forum. It really helped me consider my options and make a decision.

I never liked my last night because my father was never in the picture but I'm a teacher so my last name has become my identity so that's why I am not taking his name

Well I'll be the only one like this lol but for a variety of reasons... He's taking my name! So there's an interesting one for you.

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Yes! That is a different one! I did see some where both spouses are taking each others name.