Marius Knieling, Maria Frolova
Changing your last name is a big decision that many couples face after their wedding. Some follow in the footsteps of family traditions, others see it as a way to feel closer to their spouse, while there are also those who choose to honor their roots and lineage first and foremost. Gone are the days of marriage defined by the bride automatically assuming the groom's surname. In todays age, couples are exploring a plethora of options - from hyphenating, to assuming the bride's surname, and even choosing a new surname unique to both parties. Here, we’ve looked at all the pros and cons to consider when changing your last name, so you can move forward with a name that feels true to you.
Pro: Honoring Traditions
For many, changing their last name to their spouse's is a way to honor and continue cultural or familial traditions. This long-standing practice has played a significant role in the lives of previous generations in many families. If you too value this tradition, it’s completely understandable why you might want to choose to continue it.
Pro: Easier for Your Kids
A shared last name can make things easier, especially when it comes to having children together. For example, you won't find yourself in a situation where you have to prove to anyone that you really are your child’s parent, plus you won't need to explain to your children why you have different surnames. It can also strengthen a child's sense of belonging which is great for their emotional wellbeing.
Dos Más En La Mesa, Valentina Pozo
Pro: You Don't Like Your Given Surname
If your partner has a beautiful last name that is, for instance, less tricky to pronounce or spell, it might be a good choice to take theirs after getting married. In fact, it's quite a common case! Many people decide to change their given surname simply because they prefer their spouse’s more.
Pro: Ready for a Fresh Start
Marriage is a new chapter of your relationship, so it’s somewhat symbolic to have a fresh start with a big change. Taking a new surname can beautifully mark your new status as a married person.
Con: Too Much Paperwork
Perhaps the biggest con is how time-consuming and even stressful it is to change your last name. The process typically involves lots of paperwork and comes with many important nuances and administrative tasks, requiring your full focus. You’ll have to update your driver’s license, ID, passport, credit cards, health insurance – and that's just the beginning of a long list of changes you'll need to make.
Con: Loss of Personal Identity
While many people are excited to say goodbye to their given surname, there are some who find it very hard emotionally. They view changing it as letting go of a big part of themselves and even losing their identity. Well, it's natural to feel this way! You've had your last name since the earliest days of your life, after all, and changing it might really feel like distancing yourself from the person you've always been.
Rob Tennent, Dos Más En La Mesa
Con: Can Affect Brand Recognition
If you’ve spent years establishing yourself as an artist, a writer or perhaps even a wedding vendor who is widely known by their given surname, such a sudden change might create confusion and potentially affect your brand recognition.
Con: Family Legacy
For some there's a sense of responsibility to carry on their family's surname and keep it alive, more so if it's tied to the accomplishments and contributions of the previous generations. So, in a way, letting go of your last name might feel like stepping away from that legacy.
