Can You Keep Your Maiden Name After Marriage?

Despite a decline in the practice during the 1980s, there is a resurgence today of women keeping their last names after marriage. Some theories explain why this is happening: more people, especially celebrities, are keeping their last names or not taking their partner’s names. There are several options for what you can call yourself when you do decide to keep your maiden name after marrying, such as going by “Ms.”, keeping your given name, or doing nothing at all.

Hyphenation allows you to keep your maiden name while still adding your spouses, making it easy for colleagues, clients, and friends to follow. In most states, you will need to file a marriage certificate to verify your marriage occurred at a specific date. If you officially change your name after marriage but use your maiden name in social or formal capacities, your legal name and real name are your married name.

In the Philippines, under Article 370 of the Civil Code, married women have the option to use either their maiden first name and surname and add their husband’s surname. However, many women choose to keep their maiden name by hyphenating it with their husband’s surname.

Changing your name after marriage is a completely personal choice for every individual. In most states and countries around the world, there are no legal issues with doing either. In 2022, it will be 45 years since women in Brazil won the right to choose to add their husband’s last name to their name after marriage. More women are continuing with their maiden names, especially if they have established a relationship.

In conclusion, changing your name after marriage is a matter of personal preference and legal considerations. It is important to consider the pros and cons of each option and follow the specific process for changing your name.

What do you call a married woman who keeps her maiden name?

Let’s start with the easy one. Mrs. is the proper title for a married woman. In the past, you only used “Mrs.” if you took your husband’s last name. Times have changed! If you know the woman is married, use “Mrs.”. Then there is Miss. You can call an unmarried woman “Miss,” from little girls to adult women. At a certain age, “Miss” can seem too young. That’s where “Miss” and “Ms.” differ. Photo by @jessfairchild. Invitation suite by Minted.

Can I keep my maiden name if I marry?

Your marriage certificate is a record of your marriage, not your new name or title. You don’t have to take your husband’s name or become Mrs. You can choose your own name. In the UK, women usually take their husband’s last name. But they can also keep their maiden name, use it as a middle name, change to a double-barreled version of both spouses’ surnames, or create a new one.

Changing to Mrs. You don’t need legal documents to change your title. Use your new title. If you change your name, you can also specify your new title in the deed poll document.

Why would a woman keep her maiden name?

Some women keep their surnames to preserve their personal and familial identities, Carr said. “Names are meaningful, and they can tie to their parents, their ethnic or racial heritage.” Some people have established a professional identity, especially writers, academics, or celebrities. If their name is important to their job, they might not want to change it. Keeping one’s surname can also be a political act, often done by those who adhere to feminist beliefs and practices, such as independence and equal partnership. Some say it’s unfair to use one name over the other. Would using just one spouse’s name show an unequal partnership?

Is it normal to keep maiden name?

Among women who don’t follow tradition, the most common practice is keeping their own surname. The next most common practice is hyphenation. Making a hybrid name or coming up with a totally new shared name is even more rare. In the past, many women married took their husband’s last name to follow social norms and gain legal, economic, and familial protections. In some states, these safeguards included being able to retain their driver’s license or voter registration, pick up their children from school, or have a credit card, said Stephanie Coontz, the director of research and public education for the Council on Contemporary Families. Culturally, adopting the husband’s name was connected to the idea that women belonged to their husbands.

Can you keep your maiden name professionally?

1. Think about your options. You don’t have to take your spouse’s last name. I was surprised at the many choices. Keep your existing name. You can use both last names. You can take your spouse’s name, but use your former name in a professional setting. Some states let you move your old name to your middle name and add your new last name. See? Your options aren’t simple. Do some research and decide which route you want to take. Think about your career and reputation. If you think this could be bad, think about it.

2. Make a list. I didn’t realize how many places my name was listed until I had to change it. Jotting down a list is helpful for ensuring you cover all your bases. Consistency is key with a change like this.

What happens if I get married and don’t change my name?

Can I keep my name after I get married? Before getting married, people wonder if it’s okay to keep your name. When you marry, you can keep your name or take your partner’s. It’s your choice in most countries. It’s a matter of preference. Some people keep their last name because they marry later in life or their career is already established. It could be risky to choose a new name, which could affect their career and finances. Personal branding is powerful. Name recognition is powerful, and many people aren’t ready to give that up. What do you call a married woman who keeps her maiden name? You can keep your maiden name after marriage. You can use “Ms.” or “Mrs.” You can also go by “Ms.” if you don’t want your title to be about your marriage. It’s your choice. Before you decide, learn why people change their names.

Can you keep both last names?

Keep your maiden name. Some people keep their maiden names for work, family tradition, or personal preference. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to keep your maiden name! Plus, it’s the easiest because there’s no post-marriage name change paperwork. Sarah Ann Smith; Take your spouse’s last name. Not much to explain here. This option drops your maiden name and replaces it with your spouse’s. This is the most common way to change your name after marriage. Sarah Ann Jones; Move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse’s last name. This is a popular option if you want to keep your maiden name. You can keep or drop your middle name. Note that each state has different laws about marriage name changes. You may need to go through a court-ordered name change to change your middle name. Sarah Ann Smith Jones or Sarah Smith Jones; Hyphenate your last name with your spouse’s. Hyphenation lets you keep your maiden name and add your spouse’s. Many spouses choose hyphenation because they want to keep their name and take their spouse’s name. Example: Sarah Smith-Jones or Sarah Jones-Smith. If your spouse is male, let him take your name. Some states let men change their last names after marriage. Before considering this option, research what’s legal in your state. Sarah and Adam Smith-Jones or Sarah and Adam Jones-Smith; Create a new last name. You and your spouse must both change your names through the courts. Some couples have created new last names. It’s your name, so do what you want with it! Learn more about court-ordered name changes here. Example: Sarah Smithnes (combined Smith and Jones); Can you legally have two last names? It’s similar to hyphenating, but without the hyphen. You can use either last name. You must sign all paperwork with both last names. Each state has different laws about what is considered a marriage name. You may need to go through a court-ordered name change to have two last names without a hyphen.

Can you keep both last names after marriage?

Each state has different rules about name changes after marriage. In most states, you can take your spouse’s last name, hyphenate it, use two last names without a hyphen, or move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse’s last name.

Know your name change options before your big day. What is a combined last name? A merged last name is a new last name made by combining your last name and your spouse’s last name.

Can you retain your maiden name after marriage?

The Supreme Court has said that the law is not mandatory. A married woman can keep her maiden name and not take her husband’s surname. This is a personal choice.

Married people still have legal responsibilities to each other, regardless of their surnames. They also get the same legal benefits of marriage, no matter what name they use. How do I change or keep my surname after marriage? After marriage, you must update your civil status with different government agencies and decide if you will keep your maiden name or change it to include your husband’s. It may seem overwhelming, but it’s simple. It only involves these steps:

Should I keep my maiden name professionally?

If you keep your maiden name, clients and colleagues won’t be confused. No awkward introductions at networking events, no need to change business cards, and no need to inform clients of your new name. You can keep your professional reputation without confusion. This is a popular option for lawyers, doctors, and other professionals who keep their maiden name professionally or double-barrel. If you can tell the two names apart, this could be the best of both worlds for you. You can be Miss Maiden at work and Mrs. New at home. It’s a way to honor your life before and after marriage. Read the full article on the NameSwitch website.

What are the disadvantages of having two last names?

Hyphenated names: You must use both. If you hyphenate your last name, you must use it all the time. … They’re long. … Kids can be tricky. Are you thinking about hyphenated names as a name change after marriage? Hyphenating names is less popular now than it was in the 1970s. Here are three reasons not to take both last names as a newlywed. New Spouse, New Name, New Journey: Embrace your new married life. Personalized name change services for every newlywed.

1. You must use both. If you hyphenate your last name, you must use it all the time. The dash is like crazy glue, keeping your names together forever, even if you’re tired of saying them both.