I came across an interesting article today by Allison Linn titled What’s in a Name Change?
The article discusses a recent study conducted in Holland that explores whether women who change their names are at a disadvantage in their careers – both landing the job as well as negotiating pay. The author reports that:
The Dutch researchers also found that married women who keep their maiden names were viewed as more competent and intelligent than those who take their husband’s name. On the other hand, women who changed their names were more likely to be viewed as caring, dependent, emotional and less ambitious.
I am in the camp of ladies who did not change their names. For me, it was driven by a few reasons – both personal and professional. On the personal side, my brother and I are the last in our family to carry our names and it was hard for me to give it up. On the professional side, I just didn’t have the energy or the desire to go through a “renaming” exercise in my work life. Finally, though my husband’s last name is beautifully Italian, it’s also really hard to spell! And I already have enough fun spelling my first name for everyone…
At the end of the day, I’ve had my name for so long, that it just felt strange to change it. But I’m keeping the option open in the future, because once we have children, I’m not sure I’ll like having a different name as they do (and Westberg-Cacciorni just seems cruel for a 5 year old…) After all, Prince changed his name for no reason at all, so why can’t I?
But I have lots of girlfriends who embraced their name change, and that’s really fun too. For some, their new last names fit them so well that it takes me a minute or two to even recall what their maiden name was!
And then there are the different practices around the globe. In countries such as Belgium and Cambodia, women keep their born-names. In Spain, double last names are the norm – taking one part from the father and one part from the mother’s last name. When a Spanish woman gets married, she keeps both of her parents names and does not change. In Latin America, the practice is for a woman to keep the paternal part of her last name and substitute the maternal part with her husband’s last name. And these days, there are even couples who create entirely new names for both parties – double-barreled, a conglomeration or something entirely, brand spanking new!
There are so many options!
What are you and/or your partner going to do? Are you or your future spouse changing a name? Did you discuss it? And was it a difficult decision or was it the easiest one you’ve ever made? Is there a cultural aspect to your name change/non-change or does it just feel right? I’m totally interested to know what you all think.
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