Debating Name Change

genepoolperfect · May 2010

My FI and I have been engaged since 2008, it's 5 months from the wedding and I have no idea if I want to change my name! I don't need to keep my maiden for professional reasons but I'm also very picky about naming conventions. I feel like, by taking his last name, my full name would become a bit of a mouthful. But that's a really stupid reason not to take his last name right?
What is everyone's reason for keeping their maiden, or adopting their husbands last name?

Jenni83 · May 2010

I took my Husband's last name so that when we have kid's we would have a family name.

rblucy · May 2010

I also took my husband's last name so our kids would have the same name. Had he had a really horrible last name, I prob wouldn't have changed it. I loved my maiden name because it was very easy yet to say and spell but I'm getting used to the new one.

clarereedy · May 2010

I'm taking my fiance's name for the same reason as the other girls - so my children and I have the same last name. Professionally (I"m a teacher), I may not change my name until the start of the new school year - we are getting marriend November 2010...I may wait to start with my new name the following September.

kristinanddan · May 2010

I changed mine. I also wanted to have the same last name as our children. I did give up a simple last name for one that's a bit more complicated, but it's not too bad. I'm just not used to giving it to people as my name yet!

smatuza · May 2010

i will be changing it to my husbands mainly because of our children in the future but also because i'm traditional. i am also a teacher but i'm getting married in july, the kids will come in saying who is Mrs. X? haha!

ssage · May 2010

I have only officially changed my name on our marriage license...I have yet, over 6 months later, to change my name on my driver's license, insurance, soc security...just on some credit cards and magazines. I will eventually do all the other but it is not a rush for any reason.

We are expecting our first child and I want us all to have the same last name...it means something to both of us. But like I siad, even though my name is offiically the same, i just haven't changed it everywhere.

Bat937 · May 2010

We aren't having children but I also changed my name. I never considered not doing it. I couldn't wait to be Mrs. X.

bridaljoy · May 2010

I did not change my name. It is my name and wouldn't think of changing it. When we have children teachers, etc they can call me by my husbands last name.

TerriandJoe · May 2010

I am a traditional girl. I always planned on changing my name when I got married. However, I also plan to use my last name as my middle initial because I don't have one. So, while I am taking FI's last name, there will still be a little part of my old name still around. Basically, going from Terri Jones to Terri J. Smith.

smooth84 · May 2010

I'm looking forward to changing my name. A lot of people already refer to me a Mrs. X because we have a child together, but in reality I'm the surname outcast lol. At first I was torn because I really like my maiden name and my dad has all girls, mine is so simple and my FI's while it's simple is always mispelled and mispronounced.. But as I get closer really being Mrs. X is exciting and we both can't wait!!!

Rachiemoo · May 2010

my maiden last name is very unique, and hard to pronounce. when i was young i always wished i could have a boring, easy to pronounce name - and that is what i got when i married my husband. in all honesty though, i actually kind of miss being "one of a kind" and having such a unique name, however i really like my new name and i think it really makes us a family. like previous posters said, it is also great for when you have children, makes it easier. i made my maiden name my middle name, and dropped my former middle name. (keep in mind, it is a little tricky to do this in nystate because the marriage license doesn't give you this option, i can give you more details of how i did it if you're interested).

[Deleted User] · May 2010

I am very traditional as well and will be changing my last name. I will admit that when we went to get the marriage license I had a bit of a hard time checking off the new surname. But my mom and grandmother did and so will I.

TerriandJoe · May 2010

Rachel - was it difficult because you were dropping your middle name? Or would any middle name change be difficult?

Rachiemoo · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_debating-name-change?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:113Discussion:21c58a8b-48d6-4e17-8d0f-d2b15ce6ddabPost:28f5bd08-c8fa-4e80-b5fa-de9b298f26e9">Re: Debating Name Change</a>:
[QUOTE]Rachel - was it difficult because you were dropping your middle name? Or would any middle name change be difficult?
Posted by TerriandJoe[/QUOTE]

Well the NYS marriage license (at least when I did it in 2008) does not give the option for changing your middle name at all (dropping or changing it as far as i know).

So my marriage license had my first name, middle name (given at birth) and DH's last name as my last name. Once I received the marriage license back in the mail after the wedding, I took that to the Social Security office. There I just filled in the paperwork with my first name, maiden name as middle name and DH's last name as my last name. They gave me no problem whatsoever with this and I was able to use my social security card to get my driver's license and then both my social security card and drivers license to get my passport updated.

*note, I believe that someone on this board mentioned that this method did not work for them, however a lot of girls on the NYC board did this and had no problem with it. I can't guarantee it will work, but it did work for me*

feuerrose2 · May 2010

I always thought I would MORE than happy to change my name. It is easy and never mispronounced, but it is annoying. There is always a quick joke or something about it. I am also a teacher, and have now created this "Ms. X" persona. I have been teaching for 10 years now and can't imagine being any other name.
I am getting married in July. I think I will change it personally (officially) But at work, I will keep my Mrs. X. It is easy after all.

snowgrl521 · May 2010

Changing my name was never a question for me. I'm a traditional girl and so is my family.

I did have a friend who got married last summer and the two of them ended up creating a new last name that merged their two last names. I thought it was such a cool idea (they took the beginning of his last name and the ending of her last name and it made such a nice new name).

durga826 · May 2010

I'm still on the fence myself about changing my last name.

I'm 44 and my name has been my name for a looooong time now! On the other hand, I do love the idea of being a Mrs. Plus, he does have kids and it would be nice if we all shared the same last name. Chances are good that I will, in the end, change my last name to his.

TerriandJoe · May 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_debating-name-change?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:113Discussion:21c58a8b-48d6-4e17-8d0f-d2b15ce6ddabPost:f2cf49e5-2254-4292-8d11-40bc8a65a381">Re: Debating Name Change</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Debating Name Change : Well the NYS marriage license (at least when I did it in 2008) does not give the option for changing your middle name at all (dropping or changing it as far as i know). So my marriage license had my first name, middle name (given at birth) and DH's last name as my last name. Once I received the marriage license back in the mail after the wedding, I took that to the Social Security office. There I just filled in the paperwork with my first name, maiden name as middle name and DH's last name as my last name. They gave me no problem whatsoever with this and I was able to use my social security card to get my driver's license and then both my social security card and drivers license to get my passport updated. *note, I believe that someone on this board mentioned that this method did not work for them, however a lot of girls on the NYC board did this and had no problem with it. I can't guarantee it will work, but it did work for me*
Posted by Rachiemoo[/QUOTE]

Rachel - Do you think I could list my maiden name as my middle name on the form? Or put in the letter as a middle initial? Does the officiant ask to see proof when filling out the form?

Debating Name Change

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