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.

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.

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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?

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Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Rick's
2014-02-13T03:48:54.495Z
I kept my name. My husband, his parents and our kids have always thought it was great. Our daughters will probably keep their fathers name if they marry. Only really stupid people have had difficulty understanding that we are a family whose parents have 2 different last names. Married 33 years and it's fine with me if I am called Mrs. Husband's Name, not to mention very funny when he is called Mr. Wife's Name.
PernRider
2014-07-26T06:28:19.128Z
I married young, and because it was the thing to do, I took his name without a thought. My entire adult life, I've used that name...even though our marriage ended quickly (but lasted longer than it should have, all things considered...) Now, I have a distinctive name which I love (and part is because I share it with my daughter...) I've frequently said that if I remarry, I'm not changing my name...I'm keeping my CURRENT name, which I got through marriage! Luckily for me, my boyfriend loves my name, and in fact has said that if we ever did get married (which would take a LOT of convincing on his part!!), that he would in fact take MY current name, even though it was my ex-husband's! (Bonus points for how much my ex would hate that...)
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
Erin
2014-11-24T01:24:55.245Z
The one, decisive reason NOT to take your husband's name is that doing so acquiesces to and perpetuates patriarchy, plain and simple, and you carry your own acquiescence around with you everywhere. (The ONLY reason for this absurd tradition is patriarchy.) Logistical conveniences like having to sign two names on Christmas cards and having to hyphenate your children's names (what a grave inconvenience for them!) are absolutely absurd reasons for sacrificing your independence. It's like saying "Ladies, no need to vote! It's SUCH an inconvenience to have to register and drive to the polls each year! You'll be sacrificing family unity when you vote differently from your husband (and in-laws)!"
Nikki
2014-01-22T03:20:24.000Z
It would be just as easy for the man to take the woman's name. Wow not very feminist!
Ashley
2014-01-22T10:32:47.000Z
Women carry and deliver, men should take her name in appreciation for the honor of offspring. That's just my opinion though.
Breanna
2014-01-22T08:17:56.000Z
How about why the husband should take his wife's last name?