Dropping middle names or maiden names? Keeping all?

I wanted to be Ashleigh Nicole King when we got married, but my mom gave me a huge guilt trip about it. My birth maiden name is Helms, had a falling out with my dad and I took my mom's name when I was 18. So now she is emotionally attached, and I am as well, about my current last name.

I don't know what to do! Ashleigh Nicole King or Ashleigh Angelette King. I love my maiden name, Angelette, but it just doesn't flow as well....help!?!?

I've been debating about this too. I haven't made a decision yet. Sighhhhhhhh. lol

I'm dropping my maiden, and happy to do it!

I'm keeping my name just the way it is.

@Miss Ashleigh... Angelette could pass as a "first" name; have you considered keeping it along with your current middle name and taking your husband's name?

I have a decision to make when I change my name, but it's not about my last name. Definitely taking his. I am considering changing my first name. It's Jesse... not Jessica, just Jesse, yes, spelled like a boy. I am soooooooo tired of all my mail getting addressed to "Mr", hearing, "oh, I thought you would be a man", etc. I am strongly considering changing it to Jessica. It's not my favorite name, but it would be easy. Just not really sure if it's a good idea.

Currently I'm Deneige Elizabeth Pelletier. I'd like to be Deneige Elizabeth Pelletier-Hall but FH is very upset about it, actually got teary eyed so I'm stumped. On the one hand I want to make him happy & I see his side, on the other I think he gets no say in my name. I'm torn. Also my dad passed away so that has me more attached to my last name I think.

Oh & I left this out but FH wants me to take his last name without hyphenating mine.

@Jesse why not change it to Jessie?

I'm keeping my name as is. I need to keep my name for professional reasons, but I'm also really happy with my name. My FH is fine with whatever I decide. If I were to change my name, I would just hyphenate.

@DlovesD... that's a possibility too. I think I'm just so tired of my name I want a change though, LOL.

I go by (and always have) my middle name, so I am dropping my first name and essentially moving everything to the left. I hope to have a daughter so that I can give her my first name as her middle -Elisabeth.

@Jesse I hear you! As an adult I love my tricky to pronounce name but as a kid I planned to change my name to Hannah. Haha

I wanted to keep it simple - dropped my maiden.

Even if you keep your maiden it's only telling half your story, since I'm assuming your maiden is your dad's name.

I'm just dropping my maiden name and taking his. I've always loved my middle name plus my brother can carry on the family name lol.

Just a heads up for you ladies tho, I know in NYS at least you cannot change your first or middle name due to marriage, only your last... so it may be a bit more difficult to change your middle name than just filling out some paperwork.

Yeah also in NJ you have to petition the court to change your middle name.

Im hyphenating due to work. I worked my butt off to get where I am in my career and I dont want to lose that. But also need to take my FH's feelings into account even though I hate his last name. Being a DiMaggio is way cooler than Hermsen

I'm keeping my name. For work and because I like it

This is not my favorite topic I really love my first name, middle name, last name, and my FI's last name. I want them all. Waaaaaaaaaaa! I asked FI just to see what he thought about Ashley Perratone Zottola OR Ashley Elizabeth Perratone Zottola and he said he didn't care for either one. LOL. Ashley Elizabeth Zottola it is!

Keeping my middle name, and taking my FH's last name...Its funny, my initials will be HMM..

Personally never even knew people dropped their middle name and kept their maiden...i'm dropping my last name and adding his. i have a brother who will hopefully carry on our last name and i guess personally ive never understood why people hyphenate their name or keep their maiden name. i feel like getting his last name is taking that last final step in symbolically "parting" from your family and starting your own. personal opinion!

I'm dropping mine last name and taking his and i'm very excited to do so!