The surname change debate – where do you stand?

Regardless of what women choose, there’ll always be someone judging them.

According to a collection of studies done around surname change, changing your surname often depends on how old you are, how succesful, and what religion you follow.

Losing your identity

For most women, their maiden surname is the only identity they’ve always had for a great part of their lives, and the thought of losing that makes them abit anxious.

It seals the deal

Some argue that you don’t really feel like you’re married until you change your surname. “When you marry you become one”, that includes your last names as well.

Your name changes, you don’t

Relationship experts argue that changing your surname doesn’t mean you’re becoming a new person. Your past will still be the same, and the success of the marriage isn’t based on whether you changed your surname or not.

The admin that comes with it

The admin and paperwork that comes with changing your surname is a daunting one and most women would rather avoid this.

It changes everything

You have your surname in most things like your personal and professional emails, your letters, bills, qualifications, and anything that identifies you. Changing all of them takes time and money that would rather have been used somewhere else.

The options you have

• Keeping your maiden name - it’s less complicated and works best when you’ve built a strong professional brand.
• Take your spouse’s name - it’s the most traditional but comes with more admin of changing anything that has your name on it.
• Taking double barrel: it’s a bit confusing as people wont know which surname to address you with, but definitely an option to consider.
• Taking your spouse’s surname legally but keeping your maiden name professionally: This works well when you’ve built a strong professional brand.