Changing your name or hyphenating?

well, I have been debating what to do about my last name for months and months. I am 33 and have been teaching for 12 years...so I am pretty attached to my last name. Plus I am the last girl in a family of all girls to get married (and so there goes the family name).

I feel like I would like to maintain my name and keep my 'identitiy', but don't know if the hyphenating would be just a big pain in the butt.

Any suggestions?

I hyphenated. I married at 35 and had already earned all of my degrees and professional licenses in my maiden name, so I did not want an entirely new name.

Some people tell me that I might change my mind when we have children. That I will want the same last name as my kids. We'll see what happens.

---

Posted by BRod-Cheng

I hyphenated. I married at 35 and had already earned all of my degrees and professional licenses in my maiden name, so I did not want an entirely new name.

Some people tell me that I might change my mind when we have children. That I will want the same last name as my kids. We'll see what happens.

---

that's what everyone's telling me also! they say that it would be weird to have a different last name even though you're the number.

but, with hyphenating.... does that mean you have to use your entire name on credit cards, drivers licenses, etc...?

---

Posted by joshisgirl

---

Posted by BRod-Cheng

I hyphenated. I married at 35 and had already earned all of my degrees and professional licenses in my maiden name, so I did not want an entirely new name.

Some people tell me that I might change my mind when we have children. That I will want the same last name as my kids. We'll see what happens.

---

that's what everyone's telling me also! they say that it would be weird to have a different last name even though you're the number.

but, with hyphenating.... does that mean you have to use your entire name on credit cards, drivers licenses, etc...?

---

Yes.

---

Posted by tbone66

I am almost 33 and have been practicing law for over 7 years and I felt the same way that you do. I decided to hypenate but will be keeping my maiden name for all work related things. I hypenated so that I have the option to use FH's name and to avoid confusion, etc.

---

Same with me. I kept my maiden name at work.

---

Posted by BRod-Cheng

---

Posted by joshisgirl

---

Posted by BRod-Cheng

I hyphenated. I married at 35 and had already earned all of my degrees and professional licenses in my maiden name, so I did not want an entirely new name.

Some people tell me that I might change my mind when we have children. That I will want the same last name as my kids. We'll see what happens.

---

that's what everyone's telling me also! they say that it would be weird to have a different last name even though you're the number.

but, with hyphenating.... does that mean you have to use your entire name on credit cards, drivers licenses, etc...?

---

Yes.

---

wow i will have a looooooong name

I am so mad I caved in and am taking my FH last name. I should have insisted on hyphenating it - it means so much to still carry on my fathers name because he means the world to me. but we already got the wedding license so I guess it is too late?

---

Posted by danniegirl

I am so mad I caved in and am taking my FH last name. I should have insisted on hyphenating it - it means so much to still carry on my fathers name because he means the world to me. but we already got the wedding license so I guess it is too late?

---

I don't want to start a fight with your DH, but I don't think it's too late.

---

Posted by surfersgirl

well, I have been debating what to do about my last name for months and months. I am 33 and have been teaching for 12 years...so I am pretty attached to my last name. Plus I am the last girl in a family of all girls to get married (and so there goes the family name).

I feel like I would like to maintain my name and keep my 'identitiy', but don't know if the hyphenating would be just a big pain in the butt.

Any suggestions?

---

I had the same debate, because of my law license, but for my own reasons, decided to take his name...however, hyphenating is a compromise if that is what you would like. Some girls also chose to give their maiden names to their children as middle names-it all depends on what you feel is best for you!

I am keeping my last name and taking his last name.

~dancer and chef~
charlotte and michael

Ironically for my work (after speaking to someone in Personnel) it's easiest if I hyphenate...that however is what I want to do anyhow so it works for me...lol

Also ironically that's what FH's sister in law did as well when she got married.. so in a way it's continuing a trend.

I'm taking his name.. going from one italian name to another..

This is a question ONLY you can answer. It's a totally personal decision.

Despite the fact that I am established in my career, hold undergraduate and graduate (law) degrees in my maiden name, am admitted to practice law in my maiden name, etc., I decided to change my name... (well, legally I'll be changing it in about a week after we close on our house. Socially, I'm already using my new name)

Why? Because I want to and it's right for me.

It's a personal decision that you should make - with some input from your husband. Ultimately, it's YOUR name, YOUR life, and YOUR decision.

Other people will make comments, unfortunately, no matter what you choose. I've heard lots of girls say people were asking them questions / making comments because they were NOT changing their name. In my profession, I'm getting a lot of grief about doing the opposite. It's no one's business except yours whether you change your name. Just think long and hard about what you really want to do... You have so many options - and the right to change your mind.