Hi, everyone!

I know that the whole "changing your last name" thing is a huge debate at any age, but I was curious about whether 30-something brides are perhaps less-likely to change their names than younger brides? I figure there might be more reasons for us to keep our names, whether it's professionally, maybe if you've already changed your name with a previous marriage, or just plain "I've had it for 30 years, why should I change it now?" =)

Personally, I am not going to be changing my last name. I have quite a few reasons for it. But when I was in my early- to mid-20s with a previous long-term boyfriend, I had fully intended to change my name to his when I thought about it.

It's hard for me to say whether I changed my mind because I "grew up," or if it's because of another reason -- my ex-bf was hispanic while my fiance is white, I've been in my career and earning my reputation now for 8 years instead of 2 or 3, I've given it more serious thought now that I'm actually engaged, etc.

So I'm curious to hear from you ladies!

I'm going to change mine, but I'm also relocating when I get married, so nobody at the new place will know me by my current name.  Plus, my current last name is my ex-husband's last name, not my maiden name.  I don't see any reason to keep it any longer.  I'm looking forward to taking FI's last name when we get married.

I actually really like my last name now, I kept ex-hubbys last name after divorce.  Some reasons for me to keep it the same are, my son has the same one, everyone knows me by it, and I like it.  Reasons for me to take new DH's last name, if my ex gets re-married it would be weird for me to still have his last name, I like FI's last name, it would make sense if we have kids.

Im torn.....

Thanks for your input!

LauraSweet: I think those are great reasons to change your name. It seems like everything is falling into place well for you to do that at a really opportune time in your life! =)

JoyAngela: That sounds like quite a dilemma -- having children is the one reason that I might struggle with not changing my name (though so far, the other reasons outweigh it for me personally -- maybe it'll change if/when we actually HAVE kids).

Everyone has such unique situations, I guess maybe we should just be happy that we have so many options out there! =)

I am changing mine BUT I am keeping my maiden name in my middle name.  It's really hard for me to give up my maiden name because it's been my name for almost 35 years.  I also want to keep my maiden name because I feel it pays homage to my family heritage.  I want to have the same last name as my future DH because we are a team and a family and I feel that having the same last name is just one more little thing to show that.  I didn't want to hyphenate because then we still don't have the same last name.  I will have 2 middle names.  So my new name will be Tiffany Anne Buxton Warner.

I think it is a harder decision to make as an "older" bride rather than as a "young" bride just because we've lived with our other names for a long time, have become more established in careers and communities and may have children involved.

I totally agree, Starbux! And for me, part of it is that my FI has an aunt who was born with what my name would be if I changed it: Jennifer T. So... and this might sound a little silly... but when I google my name, I want ME to show up!! =) I have a very unique name thanks to my last name -- certainly no thanks to my first, haha! And I did think about making my last name my middle name, but I also have a really unique middle name that I love. It was kind of a tough battle in my head, but in the end, I'm happy with my decision to keep my name. =) Again, it's fun that there are so many options that work for everyone's situation!

I am going through with the change.  At first, I wasn't- because with my large company I was known as Jennifer B.  And then when FI and I met.... it was important to him for this wifey to take his name!  I just changed careers last month so it would have been nice to start off with my new name....but it is in the wedding industry so it will make for great editorial!

I'm going to hyphenate it, because it's important for me to keep my last name because it reflects my heritage and I do want to take on my fiance's last name because like starbux says we are a team.

Keeping my lastname because of school and I love it! btw, not to fond of fi's lastname.

I'm changing mine and I can't wait! I've never really liked my name - it's boring. I'm not sure if I'll like FI's because people will have a harder time spelling / pronouncing it but I'm ready for the change. The only difference now that I'm older is it'll be more difficult to change since I have more bills :)