Name change ?

Socially, people call us The Marrieds. At work I am still Jeanne Single because it's easier. My mother kept her maiden name for work functions for the same reasons you listed above.

Fun fact: Kelly Ripa is actually legally Kelly Consuelos but professionally still uses Ripa because no one has ever heard of Kelly Consuelos.

@Ayreka, that's good to know. I wasn't aware of that option. I am in the title insurance business. All my licenses, banking, etc. are in my maiden name. I think as most as stated, the clients will adjust, email can be the same or redirected. It's just the changing of the licenses, banking, etc..that might be a PITA.

I will change my name since it's also the last name our kids have too. Also, I'm 39 years old, it's a taking some adjustment after having a name for so long, lol.

Just for work purposes wanted to explore options to not have to go through all the motions to change it.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

I'm keeping mine. My name doesn't take away from the commit I made to DH. Do what makes you happy.

I'm in the middle of the name change process (major procrastinator here). My employer has been a bigger PITA than any of the government agencies. Once I get it changed internally I will have a transitional email signature for a few months.

I changed my name at the SS office and DMV. Slowly calling the banks/credit card companies fto make the name change. At work, I changed my name so that my W2 would fall inline with the name on my social security card. My work email is still under my maiden name which I'm not sure if I'll change that (it's easier to leave it as my maiden name honestly). Then comes the question of how do we file our taxes?

Ick, Miss S Dot, we're in the same spot! My W2 will definitely reflect my maiden name, even though I've changed my name through SS (and am going to the DMV today). I don't even want to think about how all that will work.

It's up to you if you change your name or keep your maiden name. My only advice is to make sure you talk with your FH in advance. I remember a few months ago, a thread where a bride was deciding last minute not to change her last name and her FH was upset about it.

I was in the "Not changing my maiden" camp.... until I became pregnant! There's no way I want a different last name than my baby.... I happily (and quickly) switched )

I think you have to do what is best for you. I personally am old fashioned and can't wait to take my FH's last name. I can see why some people don't change or use both names

I think I'm going to hyphen my last names.

I'm changing my last name. But its ironic that I JUST got off the phone with my dad about thus very topic. He's all like: Shxt just got real. I just realized you have to switch your name!" mind you my wedding is in two months. Lol

I second NowASeptMrs - just put your maiden name in parentheses until people recognize the married name if you want to change it!

I personally can't wait to change mine. I am a little sad but also excited to have his name. And we may use mine as a middle name for a child someday.

Im still dragging my feet on changing mine....on some things i use his last name and on legal stuff i still use my maiden name...mainly because im lazy and cant be bothered to go through paper work right now lol maybe later this year

I know a psychologist who got married 15 years ago and changed her name, but still calls herself Dr. Maiden Name in her practice. The business is legally all in her married name, but her maiden name is on business cards. I think of it as the same thing as writing "Jim Smith" on a business card when your name is legally James Smith. At first she did it so her clients still knew the name, but in hindsight she likes that her young children aren't connected to the business as easily.

Now, for my personal opinion, I have mixed feelings about women changing their names. As a 21st century independent women, I don't love the practice. In many cultures, it's not customary to change your name, and if I were part of that culture I certainly wouldn't argue it. But, in the world we live in, the name change symbolizes unity; makes bills, joint accounts, medical issues, etc. much easier, and does make you seem like more of a part of the husband's family. It might not be a great reason, but to me, it's the norm, and I want to have the same last name as my future children, just like everybody else. Plus I can still be part of my family without the name. Having his name is different and makes me feel like one of them.

For all of you who mentioned W-2s not matching the right name, I actually filed taxes last year as "Kahlcara Single Married" (not my legal name) because at least one employer never changed my name in their system despite numerous emails. We also had to file taxes in 2 states last year due to a move, and I never used my married name until after the move, so for Massachusetts things, I'm Kahlcara Married and for Pennsylvania things, I'm Kahlcara Single. It just seemed best to include both names, so I did. We haven't been audited, but I still have ID in both names.

I'm not changing. First for professional reasons and second I changed my name before then changed back when I got divorced. I still get mail in my ex's name. If we have a child I will refer to myself by the married name.

Changing mine!

I'm excited to change mine. I work with children and even adults struggle to pronounce my last name! My FH has a last name that's much easier to say, and I'm really looking forward to people saying my name correctly instead of just giving me a puzzled look.

I'm taking my fiance's last name, but keeping my maiden name as kind of an 'extra' middle name. I've always been rather traditional at heart, but do not want to completely strip my name of my Italian heritage, so this was what feels right to me.