nest editors' blog

about this blog

The latest product picks, tips, and ideas from The Nest Editors.

topics on this blog

Friday, October 20, 2006 9:18 AM

Did You Take Your Husband's Last Name?

By Lori

Lately DH and I have been in the middle of many people who seem to be playing the name game -- us included! While we pour over books and websites that promise to help us find the ideal moniker for our baby, we have newly married friends who are dealing with not only merging their stuff, but also merging names -- and coming up with some very creative solutions.

One of these newlywed couples ditched their surnames altogether, and both are taking the maiden name of the groom's mother. Another couple combined the husband and wife's last names and created an entirely new one (this works best when your names are short and sweet!).

Even though I consider myself a modern woman, I decided before we got married that I'd take DH's name because I want to have the same name as my kids, however, I knew I'd miss my very Italian-sounding maiden name... so I kept it in the mix (sort of) by making it my middle name.

Did you take DH's name? Did he take yours? Or did you come up with a more creative solution?

Posted by The Nest Editors

Comments

re: Did You Take Your Husband's Last Name?

I also kept my name. It is MY name, and we are still a family whether we have the same last name or not. My DH doesn't really mind, and we've decided that our future children will have my maiden name as their middle name and his last name. That's the way we did it, but to each his own.

Posted by Mer22    Friday, October 20, 2006 11:07 AM


re: Did You Take Your Husband's Last Name?

I too my husband's last name too. I thought about keeping my maiden name as my middle name but didnt want to give up my original middle name (also my Grandma's middle name) either. It's weird being identified as belonging to his family by others who know his name and not being identified with my family because I lost that last name. I'm sure I could change my name again now, but I dont want to insult my husband by prefering my maiden name ... even though before we got married he said he was "fine" if I kept my name. If we do have children ... which we dont want any, but IF we would, I'm sure I'd work my maiden name into the mix somehow. Have a lovely day!

Posted by RJ    Friday, October 20, 2006 9:48 AM


re: Did You Take Your Husband's Last Name?

I guess I am really surprised that so many people even think about whether or not to change their last name. A woman taking her husband's last name is as timeless as marriage itself. So for those who think that tradition isn't a good enough reason, well then why bother getting married. The ceremony, vows, rings, reception, cake, dress, flowers, bridal party...that is all tradition. Talk tough all you want, not changing your name doesn't mean you are "feminist' it really just means that you are stubborn and that you feel you have a point to make.

Posted by Madringal    Friday, October 20, 2006 4:25 PM


re: Did You Take Your Husband's Last Name?

Great Story! I am an artist. I have worked all these many years making a name for myself. I really didn't think twice about changing it because I had grown accustomed to it, it is the name of a city in Italy so I had a whole schtick when asked my last name"_______ like the city in Italy. In casual converstion one day after getting engaged, I asked my husband -to- be his preference. He did not respond to my question and I said "Rick I asked you a question" he said no, when you ask me a question, I will answer it." I said Oh you aelry want me to change my name and he said....well if you don't want to hold any traditions why not throw out the ring wearing and the vows....and he was being a little over the top but I got the geist that it was important to him that I be ____(insert our last name)______... A year and a half(almost) and I have continued to build my business with my new last name and love being a ______________....

Posted by MoDchiCk    Monday, October 23, 2006 12:00 PM


Anonymous comments are disabled