I was told you could choose whatever last name you want for your baby when it was born. Is this true, or must the name be after the parents' last name?
2007-05-19 16:22:47 · 21 answers · asked by Lianna 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Baby Names
Most of these posters don't know what they are talking about. Legally, you can give your baby any last name you want. Morally, or socially, it is expected that you give your baby your surname, the father's surname, or a combo of the two. I know someone who gave her son the surname of her ancestors. I know a woman who's legal name is Summer Rainbow. (Her parents were hippies and she was born on a commune.)
You could name your kid Santa Claus if you wanted to.
2007-05-19 16:43:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can use any name you like, even made up, as long as no fraud is intended.
"A married couple may select any surname for their child. They may choose the traditional paternal surname, the maternal surname, the maternal maiden name, a combination of paternal and maternal surnames (hyphenated or otherwise), a name derived from ethnic custom, a name unrelated to the parents, etc
If there is a disagreement between the parents that cannot be resolved within the 5-day filing requirement, we recommend that you enter the husband's surname as the surname of the child. Advise the parents that they may change the child's name by court order.
If non-marital birth is alleged, the mother may select the child's surname unless the husband objects. If the husband objects, enter his surname. The final choice of surname will be determined after the court rules on the child's paternity.
Unmarried Mother: The mother may select any surname that she wants for the child. She may even choose the name of the putative father regardless of whether or not he has signed an Acknowledgment of Paternity. Without an Acknowledgment of Paternity, surname, in and of itself, does not prove parentage.
Widowed or Divorced: Selection of surname will depend on when the child was conceived. If conception occurred before the husband's death or the divorce was finalized, handle in the same manner as for a married couple. If conception occurred after the husband's death or the divorce was finalized, handle in the same manner as for an unmarried mother."
2007-05-19 16:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by RadTech - BAS RT(R)(ARRT) 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
NO you can't just make up a last name and give it to the baby.
You have to choose from one of the two names listed on the birth certificate if you and the father are not married, it can be his or yours. I have had unmarried friends do it both ways. But if your married then it would be your families last name. The only other option is you can give your child a hyphenated name....
Say your last name is Smith and the father's is Williams you can choose to make the baby's name Smith-Williams.
2007-05-19 16:32:18 · answer #3 · answered by MaryJaneD 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You can choose any name for the baby as long as its either the mother or fathers last name.
2007-05-20 03:18:00 · answer #4 · answered by glamorousdixiecups 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, opposing the popular belief, yes you can. Generally the baby is given the father's surname, though. You may, however, choose any surname you like for your child as long as it isn't too profan-like. For instance, you can't give your baby the last name of "Stupidmoron". I don't know who would want to do that, but you get my drift.
2007-05-20 02:58:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to choose the last name. Check with the hospital the baby will be born at and see if the have something against it
2007-05-19 16:28:17 · answer #6 · answered by COUNTRY GIRL 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Has to be father's last name, mother's last name, OR a hyphenated last name of both.
Why would you want to make up a last name for your baby anyways? That would just single him/her out from the rest of the family. That's cruel.
2007-05-20 02:31:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am pretty sure that the last name given is either your maiden name, or the father's name. You can choose which of those names you want to give, or even another family name, like your mother's maiden name.
The whole thing about giving your child your last name is basically about passing on your lineage. The clan "so-and-so-your-last-name-here" lives on~. :D
2007-05-19 18:23:34 · answer #8 · answered by Katelyn M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. I think you can give the baby any last name you'd like, I don't see a problem with it as long as it makes you happy. Just to be sure though, I would look into it first so that you are not blind-sided if you can't do it.
2007-05-19 16:54:02 · answer #9 · answered by FutureMD29 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The baby can have either your last name, the father's last name or a combination of both of your names!
2007-05-20 00:30:39 · answer #10 · answered by bEiNg DiScIpLiNeD 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋