There are some good reasons to keep your maiden name when or if you get married. Of course, lots of women do choose to change their name, and that´s their right. It can be a nuisance to change the name you´ve always been known by, though, rather than keep your maiden name. So if you´re wondering what to do, here are some reasons to keep your maiden name …
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1. 21st Century Girl
In the 21st century, the concept of taking your husband´s name upon marriage can seem a pretty old-fashioned one. It can seem odd not to keep your maiden name, which is the one you´ve always had (and yes, I know it´s your father´s name and therefore given to you through a man).
2. Paperwork
Many women find the process of changing their name on marriage to be very irritating. Having to change passport, bank accounts etc is quite laborious, and there´s always something you miss. Keep your maiden name and there is no paperwork to change.
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3. You like It
Some people dislike their name and would quite happily change it. Still, if you´re happy with your surname, then why change it? You might like having a pretty cool surname that stands out and feels different from a name that´s far more common.
4. Equality
Here´s one of the best reasons to keep your maiden name. Since we are no longer our husband´s property on marriage, why should it be women who change their name? If a man thinks that women should be prepared to change their name when they get married, then he should be prepared to do the same …
5. Unfortunate Combination
Your husband-to-be may be the most wonderful guy … but what if he has an unfortunate surname? Okay, that´s no reason not to marry him, but it is a good argument to keep your maiden name. Who wants to be known as Mrs Smellie?
6. Divorce
Nobody gets married thinking that they will get divorced, but it is a possibility. If you do divorce, and you chose to keep your maiden name, then you don´t have to change it back (having gone through the trouble of changing it to your husband´s name).
7. Legal
My mother has never quite understood why I chose to keep my maiden name. Nor have I managed to convince her that it is not a legal requirement in the UK (and many other places). Changing your name on marriage is a custom, not a legal obligation.
8. No Kids
Many women choose to change their name upon marriage as they want everyone to have the same name when they start a family. If you don´t want kids, then that reason doesn´t apply. Of course, your husband could change his name to yours and the kids could have your name!
It´s a free choice whether or not to keep your maiden name; personally, I´m glad I did (though I don´t think my ex ever forgave me for not changing mine!). There are lots of practical and emotional reasons to keep your maiden name, and no woman should feel pressured to change hers. What would you do if you got married, and if you changed your name, do you regret it?
Top Photo Credit: weheartit.com
Comments
Erik: If the woman doesn't want to follow the tradition of the name change, I don't see any reason to follow any of the other traditions, such as the man spending thousands on an engagement ring or wearing a wedding band.
Anonymous: Once in my class, some guys were teasing a girl saying she was in love with a certain guy, calling her 'Mrs. Jones', she said "Even if I was married to him, I wouldn't change my name," and all the guys yelled "OUCH!!!" Wonder why that was...
Anonymous: My parents got married in 1989, my mum kept her name and dad took her name. I live in a city with many immigrants with clear traditions, some of them can't understand how my parents chose to have it this way.
Loop: My name didn't change when I married- we both has the same surname.
Anonymous: I believe that when you take your husband's name it is symbolizing that the two of you are becoming one. It certainly doesn't mean that you are his property. It means you are equal. It also shows that you want to become apart of his family and that you love him. I'm not saying that you don't love him if you don't take his name but still...
Anonymous: I'm from Georgia (not the US state) and for Georgian women it's normal to keep their maiden name. We live in Switzerland so people sometimes find it odd that my mother still has her maiden name...but whatever, I think keeping the maiden name is normal...it's not like you should be giving up a part of your own identity when you get married.
Anonymous: The old fashioned way comes from a tradition that requires that a woman become a man's property, either her father's or her husband's. I have no problem with a woman taking her husbands surname. My mom has done it twice. I just think that falling back on that 'old-fashioned' tradition as a reason, may be a bit misinformed.
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