When changing a name after marriage, what format do most women use?

Question

Do they use:

1) Given name--Middle name--Husband's last name

or

2) Given name--Maiden name--Husband's last name

Answer 1

I chose to take my maiden name as my middle name and my husbands last name

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

My name is quite long enough without adding anything else to it. For that reason i am very happy live in a place where women keep their own identities if they get married. I don't ever plan on it, but if i did it's good to know I can keep my own name if it ever happens! A lot of women I know use their maiden name + husbands last name...but then I wonder what happens when they have kids... do their kids use the hyphenated name and then add on a third one when they get married?? Oh I'm so confused.

Answer 4

Usually it's 1), I have occasionally seen 2), as well as Given name Middle name Maiden Name-Husband's Name. Also, women often keep their maiden names after marriage nowadays. I kept mine.

Answer 5

#2 is the right answer, according to established protocol. You will find this answer in any book on etiquette. Typically, the maiden name IS NOT hyphenated with the husband's name, i.e., Jane Doe Smith, not Jane Doe-Smith. Hyphenated names are used when a woman is the last of a family line and is the only family member to carry on the family name.

Answer 6

Well if you use your maiden name and husband last, it a lot to sign when you have to sign legal documents and there not enough room. I know, it was such a hassle, so I change it again to just my husband last name oh and it though the IRS for a loop, if you just sign your husband last name. Save yourself the head ace use his last name and don't make a big deal out of it.

Answer 7

I use Given Name, Middle Name and Husband's last name...although it was hard to finally switch to my husband's last name.

Answer 8

#2 for me.

I kept my maiden name so that in written correspondence with people that may not know that I've married, they will know who I am when I sign my full name (given, maiden, husbands). And I kept it out of respect to my family. But it boils down to personal choice, this way was just more logical to me.

Answer 9

It is totally up to you. I think many women chose simply what sounds best. Using the maiden name as a middle name is great for genealogy reasons. It is up to you!

Answer 10

I took my husband's name. What's the point of getting married and not taking his last name? That's just my opinion.