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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Comments
Nikki: It would be just as easy for the man to take the woman's name. Wow not very feminist!
Lisa: I think the man could take the woman's last name. Also this is exclusionary toward same sex couples.
Czer: Stupidest Article of the Year, right here. Author is either a dumb asshole or is Banksy doing a very subtle piece of performance art.
Hunter: I think it is a personal opinion and different for each situation, but these points were very helpful and some I never would have thought of:) Thanks!
Sapna: 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
Robin: I'm definitely changing my last name when I get married someday. For lots of reasons, first it's really long if I sign things it's not quickly, and for the fact that I'm not really close to my dad's family and that last name has brought us a lot of bad luck. And besides I have a brother who can carry on the legacy.
Ellie: Maybe don't write an article for the public if you don't know basic grammar... Number 7 is FEWER misunderstandings.
Katelyn: Some of these ideas are understandable, but take your husband's last name for the sake of monograms? Seriously?
Janette: I'm sure this article is useful to someone considering taking her future husbands last name. There's no right or wrong and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Live & let live I say
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