Keeping/not keeping maiden name after marriage (wives, women, husbands)

[totallyfrazzled]

Just wondering what the general trend is nowadays....

[JustJulia]

I took my husband's name. If we got divorced, I'd probably keep it so my children and I would have the same last name.

[heartbroken in honolulu]

ya I kept my ex's name so I could have the same name as my kids

[Braunwyn]

I kept my maiden name. I might take on my dh's name for family stuff if we have children. Professionally, I will always use my maiden name. My dh was interested in changing his name to mine, or for us to create a new name, but it's really hard for men to change their names in most states. That's sexist and unfair.

[Paws917]

I took my husbands' names both times I married. A few women at my kids' schools kept their maiden names but it can be confusing at times, especially for the little ones who are taught to call their classmates' mothers "Mrs. __________."

As for the trends these days, I actually read a magazine article a few months ago that said more and more men are opting to take their wives' last names when they get married. I wonder what people think about that!

[Braunwyn]

Originally Posted by Paws917

I took my husbands' names both times I married. A few women at my kids' schools kept their maiden names but it can be confusing at times, especially for the little ones who are taught to call their classmates' mothers "Mrs. __________."

As for the trends these days, I actually read a magazine article a few months ago that said more and more men are opting to take their wives' last names when they get married. I wonder what people think about that!

We wanted to do that and my family just about had a heart attack; so stupid.

[AaronK]

When I get married, if my wife really wanted to keep her last name I wouldn't mind changing mine, it isn't that big of a deal to me but I would want mine to be the same as my spouses.

[Paws917]

Same thing with my BILs family. He wanted to take my SILs last name when they married and both sides of the family had a fit.

[Waynec613]

Originally Posted by Braunwyn

I kept my maiden name. I might take on my dh's name for family stuff if we have children. Professionally, I will always use my maiden name. My dh was interested in changing his name to mine, or for us to create a new name, but it's really hard for men to change their names in most states. That's sexist and unfair.

MA to my knowledge is the same as here, short form with a personal reason behind it that doesn't include evasion of some sort, short explanation before a judge. Done.

As a side note: It's a tradition for family unity, I don't consider it sexist to be more sided towards women changing theirs due to it, but I don't see it as a necessity for my SO change it either. Up to them. Just hope if she decides to she's not had a few during the form fill-out and changes her first name along with it "Supercalfraglisticexpealadoshus" along with the changed surname would be a pain to sign for each check and the like.

[totallyfrazzled]

Regarding the idea of retaining a husband's name after divorce solely or mainly to avoid having a different name than your children's: Isn't it becoming quite common nowadays for mothers and children to have different surnames? IMHO nobody seems to think it's unusual anymore.

And if the divorced mom remarries, does she not then end up having a different surname than her children from the previous husband(s) anyway?