To hyphenate or not to hyphenate--that is the question!

longislandlibrarian Posted: Nov 22, 2007 11:24 AM

To hyphenate or not to hyphenate--that is the question!

Hi Lovely Ladies
Happy Turkey Day!

Ok so I have been toying with this idea since before we got engaged. I am thinking of hyphenating but I am unsure. I am settled in my career.. and pretty well known in my current field... (I have done some published writing, made a lot of contacts, etc)

So I was thinking of hyphenating.. because I don't want to just keep my own name and not take my FH's name at all.. as the kids will have my FH's last name.. of course!

My last name is 4 letters long.. and so is his..... so it's not like I am creating this super duper long name....
Another thing is that it's sort of one of those ROUGH names to get used to.. (not the most flattering or all last names.. the brunt of jokes in school for kids im sure)

do I hypenate for just professional purposes? or hyphenate for everything.. or just take his last name.... have time to think about it.. but it's definitely something im THINKING about...

any advice??

FuTuRe MrS MaZz Posted: Nov 22, 2007 11:35 AM

Re: To hyphenate or not to hyphenate--that is the question!

i would hyphenate!!! so at least u keeo your identity for professional reasons, but 'honor' fh by taking his name... honestly, i think not taking fh's name is totally unacceptable.... to me, thats like a slap in the face for the guy

Ann 52409 Posted: Nov 22, 2007 11:47 AM

Re: To hyphenate or not to hyphenate--that is the question!

I think you should hyphenate.. since you are welll known in your career you can still keep your last name there and have future husband and your kids last name also

IrishBrideASmiling Posted: Nov 22, 2007 12:20 PM

Re: To hyphenate or not to hyphenate--that is the question!

I know alot of people who keep their maiden name for work only and do not hyphenate. I guess this is a personal judgment call. The only drawback to hyphenating is that when you go to the bank, doctors offices, etc anyone you basically has you filed by last name, half the time people cannot find you because they never file correctly and that gets annoying.

kabo0831 Posted: Nov 22, 2007 12:39 PM

Re: To hyphenate or not to hyphenate--that is the question!

well i would have to say to hyphenate it only b/c you are going to have things publish with your last name now and if you change it then ppl wont know who you are. I have a pt that is a writing and when she got married she hyphenated her last name so that ppl know that it is still her.

HTH

xBrunette Posted: Nov 22, 2007 01:32 PM

Re: To hyphenate or not to hyphenate--that is the question!

i would hyphenate... i want to.. but i can't my last name is 6 letters and FH is 10 letters.. that's a little much... if u have 4 and 4.. that's no problem.. go for it.. plus you'll be able to have best of both... btw... ur kids can also use the hyphenated name too... (atleast i'm sure you can, i remember this girl growin up had two last hyphenated names)

CMS Posted: Nov 22, 2007 01:52 PM

Re: To hyphenate or not to hyphenate--that is the question!

It's definitely a personal decision.

I've made the decision to keep my maiden name. My name has suited me well for 36 years and by the time we get married, I'll be 38 and to have to change everything after all that time is a hassle! LOL

My last name is 9 letters long, FH's is 6. I can sometimes barely fit my name on a check, I can't imagine adding his! LOL

I work with a male attorney who has hyphenated name. His name is John Smith (not his real name of course) and his wife's name is Mary Johnson. So they both hyphenated and changed their names to John and Mary Smith-Johnson and their kids use the hyphenated names too.

A little different, but it is an option.