Name Changing Debate

A coworker and I had a discussion about the changing of your last name. She has been happily married for 15 years and kept hers. She sent me this wonderful article that's a unique perspective to say the least. It's not for everyone, but I thought I'd share.

http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/articleoprah.aspx?cp-documentid=22451128

Interesting article.  I think its everyone's own choice.  Funny enough, my mom has said on numerous occations that she thought of keeping her own last name.

i honestly just can't wait because no one can spell my name (i know, its right there -obyrne) - but it is pronounced differently.

His last name and mine are both easy. My parents have been married over 35 years and my Mom just decided two weeks ago to take my Dad's name. I'm not really sure what prompted it, but I thought it was interesting.

I don't agree with the article at all but everyone has there own opinion and that is fine. I don't feel like I am loosing my self at all. I can't wait to change my last name to his. I will never loose myself because I will always be apart of the family I am in now! 

We are legally married already, but our wedding is in May, but I like having my own last name. The FI isn't too thrilled, but he isn't mad at the fact, I mean people will probably call me Mrs. Brown because we are married, but I don't feel like I have to change it, and I feel like Brown is soo common of a name, and some people call me Mari (pronounced Mary) and Mari Brown, is just soo typical, I like being Marisela Saavedra, or Mari Saavedra.

I didn't read the article yet (no time right now), but I think it's a personal choice and there's no right or wrong answer! I personally couldn't wait to change my name because I thought my old last name was weird, and even though it was pronounced the way it was spelled, everyone messed it up! My new last name is easier!

I personally was excited to change my last name.  My identity *is* being a L*****.  I will be a L***** much longer than I ever was a J**** and that's how I see it.  

Not only that, but I love the sense of unity and family it creates.  

For people who choose not to, it's a personal choice.  But I have to say as a teacher it's REALLY confusing keeping track of parents with two different names!  :)

ditto JClose4 and mountainbride :)

IMHO- it's not a matter of "liking" your name... that has nothing to do with it...

I am pretty old-fashioned in this regard.  I always thought that if I got married, I'd gladly change my name.  Having said that, it was a little sad to give up my maiden name of "Smith" and change it to "Fette" -- everyone knows how to spell and pronounce Smith!  Now people pronounce my last name like "feet" -- it's actually pronounced "fettie" -- oh well -- I'm married and happy and I don't care!

I don't want to drop my last name, so I'll probably hyphenate. I like it, and it's been mine for a long time. Wouldn't make me any less married.