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PrettyinPink
Expert March 2018

Has Anyone Regretted Changing Their Last Name?

PrettyinPink, on May 19, 2018 at 2:29 PM Posted in Married Life 0 35

Has anybody regretted taking their husband's last name and completely dropping their maiden name? Or, is anyone just dropping their last name and taking their husbands even if they really don't want to? If I wanted to do what I've planned on doing, which is having two last names with no hyphen...it would be way too long (at least I think). My formal first name is 9 letters, middle name 3, maiden last name has 7 and married last name has 7. I am attached to my middle name too so dropping that and making my maiden name a middle name isn't any option.

Has anyone just kind of went against what they thought they wanted/really wanted to make it easier? I'm not sure how challenging it would be to have two last names, hyphen or not.

I know this question has been asked a lot, but I'm really torn.

35 Comments

Latest activity by Nichole, on August 2, 2021 at 11:33 PM
  • V
    Just Said Yes April 2018
    Vanessa ·
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    So what is the name you want to go with? Can we hear it?
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  • M
    Dedicated June 2018
    Maina93 ·
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    Same exact thing for me my first name is 9 letters his last name is 7 my last name is 6 which would be too long , i see a lot of married women wit both but i honestly jus want his last name but i see it’s not common so it’s making me question it
    • Reply
  • J
    Expert September 2013
    Jay ·
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    Hey there,

    I told my wife she was under zero obligation to change her name b/c IMHO, it is antiquated practice. She did not. Sure, it comes in handy to both have same name for paperwork, dealing with the kid's school, and a host of other issues. But, for us, it works. You are a WeddingWire Expert so I am sure you may have come across this piece on Changing your name after Marriage

    I have friends who literally made up a new last name which both of them took. 1 Syllable, 4 letter word that was important to them.

    I suppose you are weighing having to write 26 letters Vs. having to explain that yes, you are married but just didn't change your name. Good Luck!

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  • B
    Dedicated October 2018
    Brittney ·
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    Would it work to make your maiden name a second middle name?
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  • Jillian
    Devoted August 2018
    Jillian ·
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    Originally I was thinking about dropping my maiden all together but there are no guys in our family to carry on the name so my sister and I have a hard time dropping it altogether. I’m thinking about making my maiden name a second middle name (I’m attached to my middle name and don’t want to drop it as well). My first name is 7 letters, current middle is, 5 maiden name is 10, and future last name is 6 so super long altogether. But then I realized how often do you have to say/write your complete entire name? It might look a little odd on formal documents but it’s pretty normal in other cultures so I think I might do it.
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  • PrettyinPink
    Expert March 2018
    PrettyinPink ·
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    I might just have two middle names, but only on formal documents would I have to write my whole name out, right? I don't want to have to sign everything with my FirstName, Middle + Maiden, MarriedLastName. Casually and when signing my name I would just do FirstName MarriedLastName? I'm just concerned I will encounter the same thing if I make it into a middle name, so why not make it a second last name? However, how often do you sign your name and include your middle name? I'm confused...

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  • Hilary
    Dedicated February 2019
    Hilary ·
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    I really wanted to keep my last name and my FH is so so so against it.
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  • Jillian
    Devoted August 2018
    Jillian ·
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    I never write/sign my middle name unless it’s required (like a passport or social security). 99% of the time I just sign first and last.

    Your full name would be written on your drivers license, passport, etc but I don’t even have my full name on my credit cards.
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  • Lindsey
    VIP June 2018
    Lindsey ·
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    I know people who kept their name due to children and professional career, never because of the amount of letters in a name.
    I do know people who regret not changing their name after they started a family and the awkwardness of having a different name than husband and people assuming and calling them by their husbands name .
    It’s 100% up to you what you want to do
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  • PrettyinPink
    Expert March 2018
    PrettyinPink ·
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    Too much letters in my name was in regards to my concern about having two last names, considering my name even before attaching my married name is long...attaching it only makes it worse. But, yes not incorporating his last name at all isn't an option for me so that wouldn't be an issue. It is just tricky and somewhat permanent.

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  • P
    Beginner August 2018
    Patricia ·
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    Welll, in my case, it’s kind of a tricky situation. I have a young son from my first marriage, and he very much does not want me to have a different last name than him, so my married name will be Patricia Jean Herbert-Rivera
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  • Kendra
    Dedicated November 2019
    Kendra ·
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    My first marriage I took his last name out of tradition. This time around my fiance shocked my whole family by expressing his desire to take my family's last name because there are no grandsons to have a chance to continue our family name on. I was more than happy to take my FH name but he has no attachment to his family at all. Try not to overthink the idea, so what if you have two last names it is your choice.
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  • TeamTurnage12
    Devoted July 2018
    TeamTurnage12 ·
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    I will just drop my last name and keep his. I wish I could keep my last name too but... It will be tooooo damn long. So my name right now is Tasha Grace Helen Richardson. I will drop the Richardson and have( his) Turnage. Yesss I have 2 middle names...I know crazy. I'm named after both of my grandmother's.
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  • TeamTurnage12
    Devoted July 2018
    TeamTurnage12 ·
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    I say do what you think is bestSmiley smile for you. Make sure you talk it over with the hubby !
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  • N
    Just Said Yes March 2018
    nerpnorp ·
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    It sounds like you don't really want to give up your name, in which case the easiest thing is simply keeping it. I'm keeping mine, and when I mention this to people, a surprising number of women have responded to me by saying they wished they had done the same.

    My spouse has no say as to what my name will be... certainly he wouldn't change his name even if I asked him to change it, which I wouldn't. He totally understands that this is fair.

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  • Mrs.hays
    VIP April 2018
    Mrs.hays ·
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    I changed my last name and I don’t regret it.
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  • Chris
    Devoted July 2012
    Chris ·
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    I know this isn't your question but I didn't change my last name and I didn't regret it.

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  • T
    Super December 2018
    T P ·
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    The decision to keep, change, or add to your name is a very personal decision. While some people change their name in response to their beliefs or their cultural expectations, others do not for the same reasons. Names are a part of your personal identity and heritage, but they also serve as a bridge to connect individuals and families. Whatever your decision, it is important to honor your desires and beliefs as much as it is important to acknowledge the expectations of your partner. Best of luck!
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  • Jamie
    Devoted October 2018
    Jamie ·
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    I would deeply regret changing my name. The name I have was the one my parents created for me, and my fiancé and I shall do the same for any children. Basically my mom kept her maiden name (which was hyphenated between her moms and dads) and my last name was my dad’s hyphenated with half of moms.
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  • Miaaa
    Super January 2018
    Miaaa ·
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    I didn't change my name, and I don't regret it. Socially and on social media I'm known by my husband's last name. Legally and professionally I've retained my own.

    I did know a couple who got married and they BOTH hyphenated their names so they have the same family name. It was a long name, but they were both happy with the decision.

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