Hyphen or Changing Last Name?

I don't think there are any tips. It's a personal decision. I opted to change it because it would be 15 letters plus hyphen. I want to have the same last name as my kids (when we have them), so that was my primary motivator.

I'll be changing my last name. My last name isn't that long but it's still misspelled constantly. Although I'll be changing my last name, my new one is longer and will definitely constantly be misspelled so I rather deal with one misspelling than 2. If I hyphenate, it would be about 15 letters long. It makes me tired just knowing that lol

I changed my name to his. I think hyphenating is silly and I never saw changing my name as a way for H to show ownership of me like some women claim it is. I have always viewed it as we're becoming a one in a partnership and a family.

I thought about hyphenation, but I ran into the same problem on my last name being absurdly long. Plus, I've heard hyphenation can sometimes cause confusion and mix-ups. I'm choosing to just move my maiden name to my middle one. Then take FH's last name

I'm definitely not hyphenating my last name because mine now is 9 letters, his last name is 7 letters. Ughh too long!

My husband and I actually combined our two names into one (not hyphenating but creating a new name). We are both going to change our names.

I thought about taking on my moms family's last name then hyphenating, but I always knew I wanted to get rid of my last name and I want his last name. It’s really up to the two of you, whatever you want.

View Quoted Comment I actually like this idea!!! I never even thought of that!

I always wanted to get rid of my last name. I had the same name (just female version) of a certain pop star during a time when kids were cruel. My name sounds weird with his last name, but it’s better than sticking with mine xD. Plus, I want to have the same last name as our daughter.

I'm the last member of my family with my last name. I'm an only child, and I can't have children. I'm hyphenating. It's only 14 letters. I have exes with 11 and 12 letter last names all on their own. If either of them had been the one, I might be thinking differently.
I only plan to go by my new last name socially. It's just symbolic for me.

I changed my last name and did not hyphenate. For me, I feel that it's easier having one name, spelling it to others, writing, signing checks, etc.

It does seem easier in my opinion to change your last name. I do want my last name changed even though I hate my fiance's last name but it's your call. It is a great idea though to hyphenate it.

For me,hyphenating. Not only do I love the ring of it, but my last (soon to be maiden) name is the name that my career is based on. It’s gonna be long to write and I may not use it that way all the time, but I’m elated to take his name and blessed to keep my family’s.

I am adding his on to mine with no hyphenating. My name is long (very Italian) and his is short and sweet! At 47, I can’t give my name up.

I'm changing my last name. I'm a little worried about the transition at work from mine to his..but it should be fine.


If my daughter had been given my last name instead of her father's, I would not be changing it and probably hyphenating instead.

It's really up to you!

Here's my story

My DH's last name was actually hyphenated. I told him when we got engaged that I only wanted to take his mom's portion of his last name since I've never met his dad and more than likely never will. My last name at the time was my ex-husbands which I kept when we divorced because we had a son together and frankly my maiden name is HORRIBLE. When I mentioned how I'd only take part of his name he decided to legally change his name as well and drop his dad's portion. His dad was never really part of his life so it felt right and he never used his full name outside of legal documents. So we basically both changed our names lol.

It’s a really personal decision. I’m planning to take his, as both of our last names are long. Mine is 13 letters, hard to pronounce and German. His is 10 letters, hard to pronounce and Italian. It would be insane to have to spell all of that out.

I thought about hyphenating too, but my current last name is difficult to spell/pronounce and his is a really common simple name, and I felt so much relief at the idea of only having ONE complicated name instead of two (since my first name is also not common in the US) 😂 I still like the idea of hyphenating as a general choice and think it’s a good idea for people who are torn between keeping and changing their names. Only you can decide in the end!

I'll be changing my last name. I think it all depends on how you feel about your last name. I know some people really love their name, if you do keep it. It's totally up to you. I personally don't really have a strong like for my last name. So I'll be changing.

I don't have a middle name. It took my parents 10 days after my birth to come up with just my first name, so they decided to skip a middle name. 😂 I'm going to make my maiden name my middle name and take his as my last name. I thought about hyphenating, but having worked in offices for years, I know it can get complicated trying to use hyphenated names.