Why is it so important to take the man's last name when you get married?

Question

I would prefer to keep my last name. He wants me to take his last name bc its what people do when they get married. If I dont take his last name, would that make us any less married?

Answer 1

its not so impt--its a matter of tradition----

Answer 2

It's not important really. But, you must consider about the future when you have children. Also, you might consider a hyphenated name if you really want to keep your name in some aspect. Have you thought about why you don't want to take your fiance's last name? In the end it is up to you. But he needs to understand your reasoning behind it.

Answer 3

It's not!
In this day and age to take his name when you get married. I know plenty of women that are married, still known by their pre-marital names. Some keep their maiden or pre-marriage names if they have children by the "old" last name, others do it for professional reasons (licenses in "old" names), and others keep them because they want to keep their identities.

Another option is to hyphenate your last name with his (ex.: you Ms. Smith, him Mr. Jones > Mrs. Smith-Jones). That's also perfectly acceptable today too! (Just look at Mrs. Hillary Rodham-Clinton!)

Answer 4

Its really not..Its tradition really..I know a few people who took the womans last name!..People who get married prefer the mans cause of the children and supposdly he the man of the house..Its 2007 things change!!

Answer 5

In this day and age its no longer required to take the mans last name. In fact I recently saw and article where a couple was suing California to make it easier for the man to take his wifes last name. Way back when women took the mans name because they were property, not necessarily because they wanted to. Its your personal decision. I took my husbands name because it really wasn't an issue to me and it was important to him. I have a friend who hyphenated and another who kept her last name because she was already established in her business. Do whats best for you.

Answer 6

I think that it is a personal thing. Some women want to stay independent of their man. Other women think that their identity would be lost with their last name gone.
I am personally keeping my maiden name as my middle name. I want to give myself to my husband but my family is important to me so I want to keep that as well.

Answer 7

nope...i kept my last name. its just easier. it is just a preference. i felt that i had my name since i was born and that is the way that it was going to stay. it doesnt matter if you take his name or not. if you buy a house together, your maiden name is used anyway. so there is really no reason for you having to take his name. if you want to thats fine, but if you dont, that is fine too.

Answer 8

I don't agree with that. In the american culture, that happens always. For us latins, you decide if you keep your last name or take his last name.. but it's different, 'cause here for example.. My name is Jane Lane and I marry a John Smith

In America: Jane Smith
In Latin America: Jane OF Smith / Jane Lane OF Smith / Jane Lane

You choose.

Answer 9

That really depends on him. Ask him why it's so important.

I have lots of friends who use their maiden names for professional purposes and their married names for social purposes. It sometimes complicates things, but is a nice solution for them and their families.

Answer 10

Simple it is a way that a women shows that she...
a) honors her husband
b) intrust her life into his care
c) shows to others that she is commited to a life long relationship with him
d) gives up thier faimy to go out and make one of their own.


Gen. 2:24 ... the man leaves his father and mother and the two become one flesh and ...

Answer 11

I am taking my fiances last name but leaving mine as well. just put lastname-lastname that is how i am going to do it. And it the whole last name is so you can carry it on to the children. Goodluck.