Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Dedicated October 2024

My future last name (with prefix) is so confusing.

HvR, on July 20, 2024 at 8:05 PM Posted in Community Conversations 0 1

Saved

Flag
Hide content

I am not familiar with prefixes in last names, and yet I'm marrying one of those weirdos who has one. As someone who frequently uses an initial for her surname at work, I'm at a loss as to how to do that after the name change--and what gets capitalized.

As far as I understand it, my fiancé's last name of "van Rooyen" usually has a lowercase V, except in certain circumstances which just... continually escape me. What should my new initials/monogram look like, for documentation? Do I just forego my middle initial because the prefix would mess everything up? Usually I'm pretty good with English, but this new name, I can't wrap my head around it.

I need a crash course on proper usage. Anyone able to help me out?

Flag
Hide content

1 Comments

Latest activity by Presley, on November 9, 2024 at 8:34 PM

Expert August 2023
Elly · on July 22, 2024 at 7:43 PM
Flag

Hide content
This is the time you ask your fiancé if he is willing to change his last name instead.

Ok, ok, in all seriousness...

That is quite a unique predicament. I don't even know if you can fully "resolve" this matter completely in English. However, with that being said, maybe consider this:

Making "van" a second middle name. There are plenty of individuals with second and third middle names.

Rather than completely changing your full name, just add "van" as a second middle name to avoid hyphenating any part of your name.

Example: Heather Olivia Smith changes to Heather Olivia van Rooyen.

If anyone gives you trouble, just keep in mind that there are individuals literally named, "Pepsi" or "Cola". Not even kidding. If I am not mistaken, the "requirements" for having a name change, or naming a baby in the U.S. is that it has to be in English lettering, and that the first and last names have to be capitalized.

Sorry, no Ællas here.

If not, just stick to capitalizing the first letter of every name.
(Example: Heather Olivia Van Rooyen).
- Reply