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Name Conundrum

maybe984maybe984 member
500 Comments
in Minnesota-Minneapolis and St. Paul
So, my FI and I are going after work to apply for our marriage license and I'm having a last minute panic about what to do with my name. I'm quite attached to mine, but I do want to take his (it's one topic I'm very traditional and old-fashioned about.)

Our last names don't sound very pretty hyphenated, so I was going to do what my mother did and make my maiden name my legal middle name... but then it dawned on me that I don't want to lose my middle name, either. I know lots of people have two middle names... but the problem is, I already have a two-part first name so I'm wondering if two middle names is going to be overkill.

Here's what I'm dealing with (this isn't my real name, but a close approximation to give you the general feel while simultaneously protecting my privacy)

Current Name: MaryAnne Campell Page
Proposed New Name: MaryAnne Campbell Page Ellers

Or do I just go with "MaryAnne Page Ellers" and name a kid "Campbell" some day?


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Re: Name Conundrum

  • ehathewaehathewa
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I don't think anyone can answer this one for you :(

    I am going to go with a double middle name, but I also like the option of naming one of your kids the name you are losing. 

    Good luck.
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  • elizabethandandrewelizabethandandrew
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I like the MaryAnne Campbell Page Ellers better than MaryAnne Page Ellers to be honest- its lengthier but I think it sounds great! I went through the same thing, I have two middle names and debated about using my maiden as my middle but my mom, grandma and I share middle names- so that was out of the question. But, due to recent family drama I am more than ok with getting rid of my maiden name (I think my dad would be too if he could).
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  • blondie424blondie424
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I had the same feelings as you and ended up keeping my maiden name as my 2nd middle name.  I don't use my second middle name for everything, it only appears on legal documents like SS card, drivers license, marriage license, school loans, mortgage, etc.  I don't typically sign my name with two middle initials and I only updated my last name on things like bills, bank, credit cards, etc.  As far as most people can see, I only have a new last name...it's only legally that I have two middle names now. I say go for two middle names if you are attached to both!!  You'll rarely say your full legal name anyways.

    I thought I would have more issues but it's been pretty painless surprisingly.  I had a few instances when changing my name where they got confused by it and thought I had two last names.  My mortgage company thought my last name was changed to Smith/Jones.  Seriously, who puts a "/" in their last name...but I was able to correct it. LOL.

    My husband has always called me by my maiden name since we started dating, so it worked out perfectly that it's still part of my name now :)  HTH!!!
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  • Steph0871Steph0871
    5000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Add a point for the double middle names.  I understand what you're saying though.  We got to the gov office, and I freaked out in the parking lot.  FI and I had a little 10 minute discussion, then I decided to keep wtih my original plan.  I had a weird issue though, because my maiden name is very unique.  FI? Super common.  I love my last name, but wanted to share a name with him. So:

    Stephanie Lyn (maiden) (FI's last.)  It's a mouthful, that's for sure.

    FWIW, I just ordered business cards for my new position at work.  My supervisor convinced me to just do them with my soon-to-be new last name, and it feels so real!  I think a little thing like that is what convinced me I am really excited to share a last name with FI.  

    I'll be signing emails, etc like Stephanie (Maiden) NewLast for awhile though.  There are a few other stephanie newlast's running around ;)
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  • maybe984maybe984 member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Screw it. I'm doing it (the double middle names, that is...)

    Elizabeth is right... it does sound pretty cool (even the REAL version).

    Also, this means that if I go ahead with my eventual plan of going back to school and getting a graduate degree and eventual licensures to be a therapist... maybe I can apply for the Guinness Book of World Records for the most amount of initials in one legal name ;-)
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  • dcprepdcprep
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Who cares how long it is?? It's not like you're going to introduce yourself to others at a party as MaryAnne Campbell Page Ellers. Plus, don't, like, royalty and stuff usually have about 7 middle names?? :)
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  • graysquirrelgraysquirrel member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I really don't know what I'd do, but I gotta say that the long list of names sounds like British aristocracy =) I like it. 
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  • shan87shan87
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    My Pick::: MaryAnne Campbell Page Ellers (this fake one sounds pretty BTW)


    Trust me My FI has 2 Middlenames (1 is 2 parted) his lastname and he is a second. so its Blank Blank BlankBlank Blank II

    My Step Mother has 2 middle names and a hyped last name.
    Blank Blank Blank Blank-Blank LoL

    Guess there is no such thing as too many names. :)
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  • I Want CakeI Want Cake
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I agree with the long version, especially if your name is actually MaryAnne, since it sounds more like one name than two.  There's nothing wrong with your name taking up some space. : )  My brother has a hyphenated middle name, so when he spells his whole name out properly, it's 25 letters.  I actually think that's pretty cool.

    I'm going to hyphenate my name, since I like my last name and it's fairly well known around here.  Besides, I've been Angie W_____ all my life and I personally don't believe a marriage should change that.  FI's last name is fine, but boring.  If/when we have kids, they'll use just his last name.  At least they won't have to always be at the back of the line in school like I was.
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  • SuperRNluvsChefSuperRNluvsChef
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Have two middle names! I say go for it! And I know how you feel.  People that know my entire name (both my first and last name is French) tell me never to change my last name because my entire name is "so beautiful together" and blah blah blah but I want to take FI's name.  And even when he tries to tell me he doesn't care I know he wants me to change it lol.  So I'm going to have two middle names too! I'm kind of excited, I have to correct everyone on the pronounciation and spelling of my first and last names currently.  It will be nice to only have to correct them on my first name, his last name is suuuuper common.  hahaha.
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