7 Reasons to Take Your Husband's Last Name ...

Men Love It • Easier Business Transactions • Easier for Children to Understand • Better for Monograms and Décor • A Sense of Unity • More ...

By Alicia • Jan 21, 2014 MD

Although there are a lot of reasons cited to not take your husband’s last name, I want to discuss the reasons to take your husband’s last name. While many women choose the modern trend of keeping their last name or hyphenating their last name, there are advantages of making the choice to change your name. These reasons to take your husband’s last name will benefit you, your husband, your marriage and your life together.

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1. Men Love It

Okay, let’s just get this out of the way. Most men love when their wife chooses to take their last name. Of course your feelings matter, but the fact that this makes him very happy is one of the good reasons to take your husband’s last name. After all, marital harmony is a good thing, right?

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2. Easier Business Transactions

This is something you may not think about beforehand but having two different last names can cause confusion. It can make business a little bit difficult. A lot of people will assume that you share a last name and proceed in business with that assumption in mind. Then you have to wait for a correction to take place regarding those business transactions. It can be frustrating and aggravating.

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3. Easier for Children to Understand

Taking your husband’s last name is a lot easier than explaining to your future children why Mommy and Daddy have different names. It also eliminates the debate over what the child’s last name will be. It eliminates hyphens and explaining why Mommy may have a different name than they do. It saves a lot of confusion. Most children like it that everyone in the home has the same last name, if possible.

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4. Better for Monograms and Décor

This is a very small reason to take your husband’s last name but it is worth mentioning. If you do not share a last name, getting things monogrammed or buying décor with the family name is out. This may be okay with you. I personally enjoy things that have our family name on them. It is a point worth considering.

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If you're looking to engage your partner in intriguing conversations, why not try some hypothetical questions for couples? These fun queries will not only keep the conversation lively but also stimulate deep thoughts and potentially reveal insights about each other's personality and thought processes.

5. A Sense of Unity

Having the same last name gives you a sense of unity. It has a strong family feel for you to share the same last name. For our family, we love and enjoy being “The Fannins.” It is also a quick and easy way to sign Christmas cards. Additionally, it is an easy way to list your name for reservations. Those are just small things to consider.

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6. One Less Issue with in-laws

A lot of in-laws would frown upon a daughter-in-law that does not take their son’s name. This is not true of all in-laws, of course. However, who wants yet another issue with in-laws? In-law relationships can be fraught with tension anyway. You can eliminate this one if you choose to take your husband’s last name.

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This article highlights the benefits of taking your husband’s last name. Not only does it signify a new chapter in your life, but it can also be a great way to honor your husband and his family. Taking your husband’s last name can also make it easier to build a shared identity with your partner and can help unify a blended family. Additionally, taking your husband’s last name can help eliminate one source of potential tension with in-laws. This is especially true if in-laws would have otherwise been disappointed if you did not take their son’s name. Ultimately, taking your husband’s last name is a personal decision and should be made according to what is right for you and your family.

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7. Less Misunderstandings

It is just easier to take your husband’s last name. Many people are going to assume that you have, anyway. It will save you from correcting people throughout your life together. It is one less hassle you will have. It will make your lives easier in this aspect.

Taking your husband’s last name is a personal decision that each woman has to make for herself, but these are some reasons in favor of doing so. If you took your husband’s last name, what were the reasons you chose to do so?

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • lyssville

    2014-01-22T05:39:24.000Z

    I know we're in the 21st century but seriously, why would you not take your husbands last name. Honestly, it's all this feminism foolishness that's messing us women up and we don't even realize it! Maybe you should find out what true roles men and women should play in a marriage and why it is that women took the mans name in the first place!
  • Carla

    2014-01-22T15:06:39.000Z

    Divorce may happen. And it's so much paperwork to return to maiden's name! Wish I've never changed mine!
  • Sapna

    2014-01-22T07:18:00.000Z

    This article is again retrogading women why females change their name post marriage one reason is unity ? Seriously c'mon as a female I was born n given some identity why the same ahud be changed just cos I'm married in some cultures females are asked to change the firsts name also I hope someone doesn't come with this article
  • Libby

    2014-01-22T10:58:23.000Z

    I know a couple that hyphenated their surnames and they both used them together. It allowed them to share their surname in a way that worked for them and would meet some of the aims the article highlighted
  • Jenna

    2014-01-24T23:12:15.000Z

    I'm keeping my name, I would feel so weird being different. I don't care if he wants me to, it's an outdated tradition. Fair enough if you want to but not for me!
  • Gollygee

    2023-03-14T18:50:33.040Z

    #5 Yep. UNITY. What is referred to as a 'last name' is really Family Name. One family - one name. Keeping the maiden name is keeping the father's family name, and his father's and on down the line.
  • Katelyn

    2014-01-22T01:14:35.000Z

    Some of these ideas are understandable, but take your husband's last name for the sake of monograms? Seriously?
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