Okay, so women in the US have been taking their husband’s last name after getting married for a long time. The statistics have generally pointed to 90-95% of women doing this. But for brides (and really couples) who don’t fancy the idea, there are many options – here is a list of the popular name change options (drum roll):
- Both husband and wife use the husband’s last name - This is by far the most popular option in the United States.
- Both husband and wife retain their last name - This option can be appealing, particularly for those who have established themselves professionally and don’t want to confuse their colleagues or clients. But it can also cause some hassles since many friends and family members still often assume that your last names are the same.
- Wife takes husband’s last name but retains her last name as her middle name – This option is also becoming popular.
- Both husband and wife’s last names are combined and hyphenated – This option is gaining some popularity though some men do feel uncomfortable about adding their wife’s last name to theirs.
- Both husband and wife use their wife’s last name – While this option is not commonly pursued, it can be appealing to couples who find the husband’s last name unappealing.
- Husband and wife choose to take a new last name – While there are not too many couples that are choosing to pursue this option, it is certainly viable for couples who do not like either of their last names.
- Both husband and wife use one another’s last names as their middle name and retain their last names – This option is generally considered a symbolic gesture that is offered as a compromise.
There are obviously numerous options with changing your name and deciding to do so is a big decision – one that should certainly not be taken lightly and is very much a personal decision. This decision can be an emotional one for both husbands and wives so we recommend that you discuss your preferences before the big wedding day. It will certainly help to understand one another’s thoughts in advance and to not automatically assume a particular course.
We at Name Change Express wish you the best with this big decision and are here to help if you need it – if you have any questions regarding your options, feel free to reach out to us.
