I didn't change my name after I got married despite being traditional in other ways. It doesn't make me less in love. (2024)

FAQs

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

Before getting married, many people begin to ask themselves if when not changing their name after marriage is acceptable. When you marry you are free to keep your name or take your new partner's name but one thing is clear—it's absolutely your choice in most states and countries around the world.

China. Traditionally, unlike in Anglophone Western countries, a married woman keeps her name unchanged, without adopting her husband's surname. In mainland China a child inherits their father's surname as a norm, though the marriage law explicitly states that a child may use either parent's surname.

The vast majority of women continue to take their husband's surname when they get married: 79 percent, according to a recent Pew Research survey. And an even larger majority of men don't change their names at all. The same survey found that just 5 percent of men take their wife's last name and 1 percent hyphenate.

The concept of a woman taking a man's last name goes back to the 15th century when women were legally considered their husband's once they married. But it wasn't until the 1970s when many states began shifting their laws to make it easier for women to keep their surname upon getting married.

Let's start with the easy one: Mrs. “Mrs.” is the proper title for a married woman whether she has taken her spouse's last name or not. This was not always the case–you used to only use Mrs.

The prefix Mrs., pronounced missus, is used to describe any married woman. Today, many women decide they want to keep their last name instead of taking their husband's. These women are still referred to as Mrs. A widowed woman is also referred to as Mrs., out of respect for her deceased husband.

It may be hard for you to see it, but most ex-wives don't keep their ex-husband's last name simply to be a source of constant irritation. Continuity with children — One of the most common reasons an ex may keep your last name is to keep her name the same as any children.

As we discussed in length above, hyphenation will allow you to keep your maiden name while still adding your spouse's. Many spouses choose hyphenation because they feel it's the best of both worlds because they don't lose their name and they're able to take their spouses.

In most states, you have the option to take your spouse's last name, hyphenate your last name, use two last names without a hyphen, or move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse's last name. We think it's important that you know all of the name change options before your big day.

Is there a Name Change Deadline? No, there is not a strict legal name change deadline in the US for newlyweds. You do not need to worry about rushing to the Social Security office or DMV just after your wedding or once you return from your honeymoon.

How common is it to keep your maiden name? ›

Some women in opposite-sex marriages are more likely than others to say they kept their last name after getting married. They include: Younger women: 20% of married women ages 18 to 49 say they kept their last name, compared with 9% of those ages 50 and older.

Why aren't more men taking their wives' names when they get married? “There is this assumption that female last names are the changeable, malleable ones,” journalist and author Jill Filipovic said.

It's not mandatory for a woman to change her name after marriage. It is believed that taking on the same surname as the man's seals the marriage.

A marriage certificate simply records the names of the couple that are getting married. It does not show what surname you will be using following your marriage. While some women choose to adopt their husband's surname, there is no legal requirement to do so.

Leaving the Past Behind

Whether you want to cut ties with your family of origin because of abuse or a falling out, or you want to take your stepfather's surname but your biological father wouldn't permit it when you were a child, changing your name gives you the freedom to be who you want to be.

Miss: You should use 'Miss' when addressing girls and young, unmarried women. Ms: You should use 'Ms' when unsure of a woman's marital status or if she is unmarried and prefers to be addressed with a marital-status neutral title. Mrs: You should use Mrs when addressing a married woman.

If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you need to tell Social Security so that you can get a corrected card. If you are working, also tell your employer.

When you marry, you are free to keep your own name or take your husband's name without a court-ordered name change. The same is true whether you're in a same-sex or opposite-sex marriage. In most states, your spouse can adopt your name, instead, if that's what you both prefer.