I fully support women choosing to keep their maiden name when they get married. I don't think it's fair that a woman should have to change her last name, nor should a husband force the wife to do so. I always say that if a woman has to take her husband's last name when she gets married, he should be forced to take hers as well :lol:

My dad told my mom he wouldn't marry her if she didn't take his last name.
Personally I want to change my last name, as I don't feel I should do my dad the honor of passing his name down to future generations. Since he had little to nothing to do with my upbringing and I don't feel any connection to him and I don't want to be associated with him my whole life, I don't see anything wrong with my desire to change my name.

What do you all think? Do you think women should be able to keep their maiden names? How about giving the child the mother's surname?

Even though I'm a guy, I'd love to do away with many of the male-based traditions that I feel are unfair.

I have no desire to take a new last name just because I got married. He doesn't own me. As for children...idk, it's a toss up, but I think giving kids hyphinated names is dumb.

I think the children's names should be up to the parents to decide between themselves, it shouldn't just automatically be the father's name.

It's funny, my dad always said "women should take their husbands name to honor their husband", but what makes the husband more worthy of being "honored" than his wife?

taking the woman's last name or having different last names kind of messes up the family tree, imo. i have the most awesome last name i've ever heard of and i'm enjoying it while i'm not married, but i would definitely take my husband's. i just think it would help keep things in order, plus i like the tradition anyway. it's a personal decision though and no one should be forced to have a name they don't want.

I remember a thread like this being posted not too long ago, altho it was a news article and not an actual discussion. IIRC, my state is one of the few that currently allows a man to legally take his wife's surname.

Me... I really have no idea. Changing surnames is expensive, I heard, and is a lot of paperwork to go through. It can be pretty bad if someone gets divorced and wants to return to their maiden name. I do love mine, though, but if my SO had a really awesome surname, I'd definitely consider it.

I remember a thread like this being posted not too long ago, altho it was a news article and not an actual discussion. IIRC, my state is one of the few that currently allows a man to legally take his wife's surname.

Me... I really have no idea. Changing surnames is expensive, I heard, and is a lot of paperwork to go through. It can be pretty bad if someone gets divorced and wants to return to their maiden name. I do love mine, though, but if my SO had a really awesome surname, I'd definitely consider it.

i want to change my last name, mostly because i don't see why i should keep the last name of a parent who never had anything to do with me growing up. how expensive is it though?

I changed my last name when I got married, wish I hadnt now.

Whenever I get married I will be taking my husband's last name. I like things to be traditional. :)

i want to change my last name, mostly because i don't see why i should keep the last name of a parent who never had anything to do with me growing up. how expensive is it though?
Not really sure. From what I am finding out, it costs nothing for the female to take her husband's surname when they get married. And it is the same for the male wanting to take his wife's surname, in the states that allow this.

But if you want to legally change your surname when marriage isn't involved, it can cost a little bit (I'm getting conflicting answers on this) and it is a lengthy process with paperwork.

Not really sure what the costs or paperwork are like with divorces and trying to return to your maiden name. All I can really say is that it varies from state to state. You would probably need to contact the local courthouse regarding costs/paperwork.

Whenever I get married I will be taking my husband's last name. I like things to be traditional. :)
Same here...if I loved a man enough to marry him, I'd be honored to take his name. That's just ME...everyone else is entitled to their opinions. :D

Same here...if I loved a man enough to marry him, I'd be honored to take his name.

Exactly ;)

Exactly ;)
I'm getting all mushy here, Lu. :heart: :lol:

When you think about it, a lot of the marriage traditions are all old, out of date things that almost demean a woman. I mean, the father has to GIVE her away. Like she's a piece of property. That's where it all originated. *burns bra*

Seriously, since it's all just tradition now and not associated with its old origination, who cares? Yeah I'll take my husbands name, but mostly just because I don't like my last name already. :p

^ That's always a good reason, too. :lol:

I'm getting all mushy here, Lu. :heart: :lol:

Aw, gee :lol: ;)

Aw, gee :lol: ;)
What do you think of the name Monika Sierra? ;) :lol:

What do you think of the name Monika Sierra? ;) :lol:

Awesome! How about Lauren or LuLu Rogers? ;)

Awesome! How about Lauren or LuLu Rogers? ;)
Fits you like a glove. :D

Fits you like a glove. :D

;) Of course Lauren Alda, Lauren Rapaport or Lauren Harold work well too :lol:

;) Of course Lauren Alda, Lauren Rapaport or Lauren Harold work well too :lol:
Yes, they do!! :D

Same here...if I loved a man enough to marry him, I'd be honored to take his name.
exactly. it isn't about ownership or superiority, it's about bonding together.

exactly. it isn't about ownership or superiority, it's about bonding together.
Exactly - not about obligation, but love. Taking his name because you WANT to - not because you HAVE to.

When you think about it, a lot of the marriage traditions are all old, out of date things that almost demean a woman. I mean, the father has to GIVE her away. Like she's a piece of property. That's where it all originated. *burns bra*

I think marriage itself is outdated.

*bitter harpie*

I think marriage itself is outdated.

*bitter harpie*
Well, like I always say, to each his/her own!! :D

I think marriage itself is outdated.

*bitter harpie*
It'll probably die out eventually. Good thing or bad thing? Who knows.

It's okay, I'm bitter, too. I guess the first step is admitting the problem.

It'll probably die out eventually. Good thing or bad thing? Who knows.

It's okay, I'm bitter, too. I guess the first step is admitting the problem.
Hi. My name is Cathy. And I'm bitter.

Hi. My name is Cathy. And I'm bitter.
*in unision with a bunch of other bitter people* Hi Cathy.

^ Ashlee and Cathy...:rofl: All you guys need now is some coffee!!

^ Ashlee and Cathy...:rofl: All you guys need now is some coffee!!
Chocolate!

Chocolate!
That, too. :lol:

i would have no problem taking my husband's last name.

I think whether or not to keep your maiden name when you get married is a personal decision. If you choose to keep it, that's fine. I've also seen hyphenated names - maiden name PLUS married name. For me, I took my husband's name because it's much easier to spell (and prononuce) than my maiden name.

I remember a thread like this being posted not too long ago, altho it was a news article and not an actual discussion. IIRC, my state is one of the few that currently allows a man to legally take his wife's surname.

Me... I really have no idea. Changing surnames is expensive, I heard, and is a lot of paperwork to go through. It can be pretty bad if someone gets divorced and wants to return to their maiden name. I do love mine, though, but if my SO had a really awesome surname, I'd definitely consider it.

It should only cost you money if you personally decide to change your name but not at the time of marriage. All you do is send a photocopy of the marriage license and/or certificate and it's all free - just the cost of postage maybe, although most places now accept the change via internet.

When I was going to get married, bless her heart, my mother took care of the paperwork for my name change, but of course, I never went through with it. It was a little time consuming, but not all that bad.

I'm on the fence about this subject. I'm not married yet. A guy doesn't know you but you sharing your life with him.