What do think is the reason women choose to keep their maiden name along with their husband's last name?

Question

For example: "Courtney Love-Cobain" (this is stictly just an example)....as opposed to just "Courtney Cobain".

Think about tradition. I didn't go for keeping my last name and simply took on my hubby's. My mom did the same when she married my Dad and my grandmother took my grandfather's, etc. Is it a pride thing? People who know me still muff-up once in a while and call me by my maiden name and I think it's funny....it doesn't bother me.

Answer 1

Maybe they have a profession, and want people to recognize them, and many of their clients or workers may only know them by their maiden name. Or they could be just really proud of their family and the name.

Answer 2

Because if you are one of those people that waited til you were in your 30's or 40's, you already have a lot of things already in your maiden name. It just make it easier to add the husband's name to your name. You could always do just an example: Courtney Love Cobain or Courtney L. Cobain.

Answer 3

I didn't hyphenate my name, but I use my maiden name as my middle name now, and so did my mother. It sure wasn't women's liberation for her--she got married in 1948. Women are perfectly correct in dropping their middle name in favor of their maiden name when they marry. It's a sign of respect for your family, and if you are a businesswoman, it makes it much easier for people to be sure they are still dealing with the same woman. Upper class people, and the nobility in Europe have been doing this for generations, and it's also part of Hispanic culture. In fact, In England it's very common for women to name their second son their maiden name. The first born gets named "Edmund Darcy Junior", but let's say your mom's maiden name was Jane Austen. The second boy becomes "Austen Darcy". In effect, named after his mom, because her name has become "Jane Austen Darcy". Get it? I think it's a great idea.

Answer 4

It's a women's liberation thing. For centuries, women were considered property. First, they belonged to their father so naturally, they had their father's name. Then they became their husband's property and, like a brand, they were given their husband's name.
Many modern women are shaking that ancient tradition of being property and keeping their names, yet at the same time, taking on their beloved names as well.

Answer 5

They want to feel like it is truly a union and they are not giving up any part of their identity after marriage. If they don't change their name at all, then where's the fun? If they do, then what happened to women's lib? Maybe they are just attached to their last name as well... so many reasons to go either way.

Answer 6

I like my last name. I don't want to lose it just because I'm getting married. I like to think that I am a traditonal person, but I think that it is only fair to think that if a wife has to take a husbands name, then he can at least consider takeing hers. On the other hand, it does promote unity and a sense of family when it's shared. hmm...good question.

Answer 7

Me myself I would want that. Only because I had this last name for 37+years. My family is also well known so most people hear the name and they are yea I know your dad or mom or brother or sister,..etc. Also I don't mind having it the rest of my life either. That's my preference who knows about celebs.

Answer 8

Paper work. My wife still ends up with things in her maiden name 3 years later she has to figure out how to change.

Answer 9

When I get married, I plan on keeping my maiden name along w/ my husband's name because I grew up w/out my father, and that's all I have left of him. His name...

Answer 10

I'd imagine, each individual person has their own individdual reason. Additionally, I've known men who on a hyphenated surname, theirs along with their wives. I'd guess it goes along the lines of not wanting to give up their individuality, and/or their "ancestory"...pride in who they are and where they come form, but also wanting to "join" together with their spouse.