Post by spunkarella on May 28, 2014 12:36:45 GMT -5
I changed my name and I'm happy with the decision.
However, I didn't drop any of my original names and I'm glad about that. My full name is First Middle Maiden Last (officially two middle names - middle and maiden).
I never changed mine, and it's been almost 9 years. I just don't really like the way his last name sounds with my first name- too many L's and S's :-) Now that we have a son, it's getting a little more confusing, but it's not a huge deal, I just explain it and it's ok. And I don't get mad when people call me DHs last name socially ( ie wedding invites/place cards, etc) so it's been fine.
Post by shostakovich on May 28, 2014 12:39:07 GMT -5
Did you change your name when you got married? Nope. Are you happy with your decision? Yep. If you didn't change your name, do you go by your husband's name socially? Nope. Sometimes people refer to me as MrsH'sLastName, or put it on a Christmas card or whatever. H is usually the first one to correct them, actually.
I didn't really care for my maiden name and I wanted to keep my middle name (versus changing it to my maiden name). So I just dropped it for my husband's last name and never looked back.
Yes, I changed my name. I'm conflicted on how I feel about it now.
I went back and forth while we were planning the wedding, and while M didn't throw a fit or anything, I could tell that it seemed "weird" to him that there was a possibility of me NOT changing my name - we didn't know anyone else who hadn't changed their name, and even his mom kept his dad's name after they divorced.
I actually brought it up to him last week and he 100% doesn't care now. I don't know if I'd go the legal route to actually change my name back, but I may start using my maiden name professionally - I just need to decide if I feel like dealing with all the questions it'll bring up.
Post by trafficgirl on May 28, 2014 12:44:32 GMT -5
First marriage : Changed my last name, kept maiden as second middle name. I was pissed - I thought his last name was stupid (really I thought HE was stupid) n/a
Second marriage: Changed my last name, dropped my maiden name. I'm fine with it. The only thing I don't like is now his niece and I have the same first and last name. And the first name is not common. I'm hoping when/if she gets married she'll change her last name n/a
Post by dragonfly08 on May 28, 2014 12:48:30 GMT -5
Technically, I added DHs name, so I'm now First Middle Maiden Last, no hyphen. I wanted to continue using my maiden name at work, but DHs name socially and didn't feel right about doing that if it wasn't part of my legal name. This solution solved that problem and worked just fine.
No. Yes. No. I don't use my husband's name but I don't flip out if someone who doesn't know that I kept my name (ie. kids' teachers) calls me Mrs. Hislastname. Most people who know my kids call me something like "Jenny's Mom" rather than Mrs. Hislastname.
Post by VeryViolet on May 28, 2014 12:53:51 GMT -5
Yes Yes n/a
I too changed my middle name to my maiden name. I actually didn't realize this isn't what everyone did until my friends started getting married, my mom, grandma, and sister all did this so I just thought everyone did. I gave changing my name some thought but in the end I wasn't super attached to my maiden name and I liked the idea of my husband and I as well as our planned kids having the same name.
Didn't change my name. Got married when I was 31 and was established in my (scientific) field with publications under my maiden name Happy with the decision I'll answer to Mrs DH's lastname socially as our kids have his last name (but my last name as a second middle name). Sometimes I'll correct people but not always
eta: also, we got married in Quebec and there's actually a civic code/law that you cannot change your last name with marriage, unless under exceptional circumstances. So, I couldn't have even if I wanted to
I didn't change my last name because it's a pain in the ass and I am lazy. I consider myself a H'slastname, but honestly, it doesn't matter enough to either of us to go through the trouble.
ETA: I don't regret not changing it. I may do it eventually, but to me, it doesn't matter at all. I'm still me, no matter what my last name is, so why go through the hassle. It doesn't make us less married or anything.
Post by pantsparty on May 28, 2014 12:58:46 GMT -5
I changed my name, it wasn't a big deal to me. The only thing that annoys me is my first name is 8 letters and my H's last name (well, ours, I guess) is 9 letters. My maiden name was 4 letters. I am WASTING TIME every time I sign something! Ugh! LOL.
Did you change your name when you got married? Sort of. It's changed on my social security card, but I haven't updated my drivers license or any of my credit cards yet.
Are you happy with your decision? Yes.
If you didn't change your name, do you go by your husband's name socially? I go by my H's last name for most things except online shopping/credit cards. I just need to get it changed on my drivers license and then will change all that other stuff.
“Life is not orderly. No matter how we try to make it so, right in the middle of it lose a leg, fall in love, drop a jar of applesauce.” - Natalie Goldberg
I changed my name because I wanted unity with my husband and for our family unit to have that. My opinion on this hasn't changed. It is a huge pain in the ass though.
Eta: DH was totally fine either way. He didn't care whether I changed it or not. My dad seemed a little annoyed though.