p.s.
March 22, 2008 10:49 pm UncategorizedI just tried to write my married name at the top of my homework paper to see what it felt like. This has been a hot issue in the months leading up to the wedding — I’m just not sure how I feel about abandoning the last name I’ve had for 26 years. I like it. It’s my name, and it’s how everyone knows me. I refuse to hyphenate, nor do I want to make my initials R.A.W. by using my maiden name as my middle name. Besides, I like my existing middle name, and four initials is just too much.
So what to do? I want to take The Fiance’s last name because I love him and I want us to share a name, but I have always liked my name the way it is (good job, Daddy). I think I may use my middle name and his last name in every situation except in school, because I would really like to be recognized as “DailyNewsie MaidenName MarriedName” at my graduation next year. The Fiance’ says people will know me regardless of the name I use, which is true, but it’s more a matter of letting go of the rest of my family, almost. As my father’s only daughter, I’ll be the only one in my family without our last name. How will people know I belong to them?
I have a bit more than five months to decide. Thoughts?
Rue :
Date: March 23, 2008 @ 10:31 am
I completely understand. I was all about hyphenating it because there’s no way my brother’s ever going to have kids and pass it along. But Ryan’s completely against it. So it’s either ditch my middle name - which would be fine because I hate my middle name, except then my middle name would be a boy’s name! - or four names.
If you legally change your name to Rachel Middle Married, your school may not be willing to put your records as Rachel Maiden Married. If not, then you might talk to whoever is coordinating the graduation and see if they can change what name they call and what name is printed in the program. Also if you go by one name legally and a different name at school, future employers might find it difficult to obtain your school records, ya know?
courtney :
Date: March 24, 2008 @ 8:44 am
I hear people talk about how hard it is to make this decision, but being unmarried, I guess I won’t fully understand until I’m faced with it myself. I’d always planned to keep my maiden name as a middle name, but who knows what I’ll do when it actually comes up.
Good luck with it!
mickey :
Date: March 26, 2008 @ 8:34 am
Everybody should just keep their own name and we’ll let kids choose their own last name when they turn 4. It’ll be fun that way.
monica :
Date: March 27, 2008 @ 9:19 am
call me old fashioned but it just eliminates confusion if the whole family unit has the same last name.
daddoo :
Date: March 30, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
It really is your choice, although I tend to agree with Monica. We’re still going to call you Rachet anyway.