Is it morally/ethnically wrong to date someone who shares your last name?

Question

Say you don't think that they have close family ties to you, or maybe they do. Would society look down, condemn you for wanting to date that person? If you were to marry, it would be like bringing the family back together. What are your thoughts on this, i can't imagine that its happened alot.

Answer 1

Only if your related to him/her, would it be morally/ethically wrong, though many people will believe its wrong or have misconceptions, possibly thinking its incest

Answer 2

If they are not close relatives, it is ok. U just need to find it out. What's wrong loving a person who shares the last name. IF it is wrong to date or love someone just for that, many vietnamese people can't get married cos there are some very very popular last names here. Moreover, it depends on you, if u really want to date with someone, you would do it without doubt.

Answer 3

It's not a good idea if they DO have close family ties; but most likely they don't.

Of all the people with a given last name, very, very few are close relatives.

I would imagine that, with the really common names, it HAS happened, though I've never heard of an instance.

I mean, the changes of two, say, Johnsons being close relatives is really really tiny.

Answer 4

Its taboo in some countries. Years back Koreans repealed a law that prevents people from marrying someone who shares a last name. Its a big deal in Korea since their are only a few last names in Korea. The Kims make up a huge percent of their population. It more dependent on how closely your related. On the other hand, the female might be glad she doesn't have to change her name in any document.

Answer 5

The last name does not matter. Look at the phone book
and the number of Smiths, so one Smith could marry
another Smith and neither family have known the other.
Blood line is a different matter, however. I'd steer away
from marrying someone in the family line (sister, brother,
cousin, uncle, aunt, etc.)

Answer 6

If anything, it makes economical sense. You wouldn't have to file for a name change, fewer documents would have to be modified to reflect the new marital status, and no one would have to have their name re-learned. This is becoming more and more common as fewer and fewer people modify their last names with marriage as they used to, with only about 50 last names holding the bulk of all last names. Most often there are not even family ties based on last names in the U.S., as many names were assigned at the time of immigration to the U.S. and many many many persons received the same name. Don't worry about it, it isn't a problem at all.

Answer 7

Back home in southwest Virginia...it's tough not to date someone with the same last name. Not trying to be funny, it's just a fact that our family has been in those hills and hollows since (well we were the first to settle in Dickenson County), so it's just a reality that you'll be dating someone with your last name and with an oddly similar family tree.....

Answer 8

How we can rationalize why we do things. Yours is a classic.

If she is related, and precluded under law, you could be criminally charged and your marriage annulled. Some states allow 2nd or 3rd cousins to marry!

I would try and find someone outside of your close family relatives. You have a high risk of genetic issues when you inter-breed!

Answer 9

How common is your last name? I wouldn't date a close relative, but just sharing a name is not a problem.

It's easy enough to do a little research and find out if you're related.

Answer 10

In some places it is considered unacceptable for first cousins to marry. As long as the person is not a first cousin (or more closely related) there is no problem.
-w-

Answer 11

You're over analyzing. I have a highly common last name, the chances of my dating someone with it are fairly good.