If you asked me if I would take my husband’s name when we were dating, I wouldn’t have hesitated to say “yes.” But when the time came to fill out the paperwork, I froze. Strange questions I hadn’t considered raced through my head: “What if someone from my past needs a kidney and they can’t find me because of the name change? Will my best friend from 2nd grade die because I changed my name? What if there is a serial killer that targets victims with my husband’s last name? Could he come after me!?”
Today, I laugh at those concerns and attribute them to pre-wedding jitters, but the debate surrounding taking your husband’s name has been raging for generations. For every reason given in support of changing names, there are counter arguments… very well-thought out counter arguments:
Why should I have to change my identity when my husband doesn’t?
I’m known professionally by my maiden name, how will this impact my professional career?
What if my husband’s last name sound’s stupid with my first name?
I pondered these questions before making my decision and talked to my husband at length about his preferences. In the end, I realized that while he wanted me to take his name, he wouldn’t be devastated if I didn’t. Like most brides, I was making a mountain out of a molehill when all I really needed to do was make a decision.
In the end, I did what over 80% of brides in America do, I changed my name. Well, sort of… I made my maiden name my middle name, and took my husband’s name as my last name. It’s a win-win situation; my husband and I are united under one name and my 2nd grade BFF won’t have to die. You’re welcome Lil Tina Walker; I’ve saved your life by saving my maiden name.
No related posts.
Author Info
3. February 2010 at 10:13 pm
test 2