22 women share why they didn't take their husband's last name after marriage
Here's what these women had to say about the tradition of taking one's husband's last name after marriage.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on October 6, 2021. It has since been updated.
The concept of taking your husband's last name is one that has long been ingrained in culture. The topic came up for discussion in a tweet a few years ago when Twitter user Omo Alade Alafia asked: "I'd really like to hear the reasoning behind women who won't take their husband's last name." Thousands of people weighed in on the subject, including Chrissy Teigen, who wrote: "I am not anti-taking the last name at all," she said. "I was going to. I just never got around to it and it isn't even the name he goes by. It wasn't some grand statement not to. I just don't see how the choice affects anyone else – why do people care so much!"
Here's what 22 other women had to say about the outdated "tradition":
1.
my husband didn’t even take his last name? https://t.co/BMo6OsgcVv
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 22, 2018
2.
1. I'm a journalist & made my career on my name.
— Georgia Lewis (@georgialewis76) March 22, 2018
2. Can't be arsed with bureaucracy of changing my name.
3. It's a tradition that's not for me.
4. I don't love my husband any less because I kept my name.
5. Men don't have to identify themselves by marital status so why should I? https://t.co/N4w5cV2JTs
3.
4.
I didn't take my husband's last name and we've been happily married for nearly 17 years. If we'd chosen to have kids (yes, another choice, not a law), we would've given the kids both of our names. There's no need for women to lose their identities when they marry. #outdated
— Jayna Rowden (@GEAUXJayna) March 22, 2018
5.
it would feel like losing a part of myself. Also why should I take his and he not take mine .Who created this tradition ?Men did🚮
— Gücci (@BlackCoffee_74) August 20, 2017
6.
7.
I had too much business, legal, and personal, in my maiden name to dissuade me from changing it. It never mattered. Perk: I have a credit card in my maiden name, and a credit card in my married name. It’s no big deal. You get 1 SS #. It stays with you😘
— Marty Jones (@JonesMartyha) March 22, 2018
8.
it's my Ph.D, not his lmfao https://t.co/9JEG6koGhp
— ass crack bandit (@ass_crackbandit) March 22, 2018
9.
Paperwork. And new social. And with new social, new ID new drivers license new bank accountinfonewnumberstoremembernewsignituretopracticenewwaytointroduceyourselfnewblablabla...
— blank (@monster_dnd) March 22, 2018
Skip all that. Keep what you got.
10.
I keep meaning to take my husband's. I like it a lot. It's waaaay fancier sounding than mine. I'm not a fancy person who is "organized" and can "get shit done," though, so we're celebrating our 8th anniversary this year with different names. Whatever.
— Tenletters (@Tenletters) March 22, 2018
11.
Seriously. I got halfway through the process and quit.
— Ms. McPoopson (@ElleMcPoopson) March 22, 2018
12.
13.
Why wouldn’t I want to take a man’s last name? Cause he’s marrying me, not adopting me? Duh. My last name works just fine. Thanks.
— Kristy (@geekhausen) March 22, 2018
14.
Kept mine because I am my own person. But I tell my husband it is to keep my options open, that he is my *current* husband.
— SoniaJ (@sj_ca1867) March 22, 2018
15.
1. I like my name
— Jess (@adventures_jess) March 22, 2018
2. I’m too lazy to do all the paperwork
3. This isn’t 1952
16.
17.
Because no one can eclipse my sun honey. You must step to the side and stand beside me and not in front of me. My equal not my owner.
— Doreen (@DoreenGLM) August 21, 2017
18.
Is part of my identity and dilutes my pre wife accomplishments, felt taking hubby name devalues me, independence, identity and successes
— Keri-Lynn Power (@LadyJusticeNL) August 26, 2017
19.
It honestly never occurred to me to take his name. I'm still the same person. Why would I change my name?
— Robynn (@woollythinker) August 23, 2017
20.
Your question doesn't make sense worldwide or cross-culturally . Women in other countries might ask "why WOULD you give up your own name?"
— three executive dysfunctions in a trenchcoat 🐢 (@TheEmmelineMay) August 23, 2017
21.
I'm not working my ass off for 9+ years for people to call me Dr Someone-Else's-Name https://t.co/mthIQq7Zw1
— Anjali. (@Anjalaaay) March 23, 2018
22.
For me, two big reasons:
— Jessica K. Willett, MD (@jkwillettmd) March 22, 2018
1. I'm the only one left in my family with my last name so the family name dies when I get married if I give it up.
2. I built my career & reputation as Dr. Willett and that's how I'm known in circles. I don't want to have to get "re-known". https://t.co/xnVWlFzQnZ
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