Ways to keep my Maiden Name

I'm personally more in favor of first name maiden name married name, but I know thats not an option you said.

First, to be fair, I don't think 7 or 8 letters is a lot. You don't really get much shorter than that? Even my maiden last name is only 5 letters.

You can be "First Middle Maiden NewLast." And then just choose which last name you'd like to use, and no one said you can't go back and forth. Lots of women go by two last names (ever heard of Hillary Rodham Clinton?). You have tons of options, and none are wrong. Feel free to keep your options open!

Do you actually WANT to take FH's name? There is no reason you have to if you've decided against it.

Options:

1) Don't take his name, and stick with your maiden

2) Hyphenate

3) Use maiden as middle name

4) Don't hyphenate but have 2 last names

5) Don't hyphenate but have 2 middle names

I second EM. She pretty much summed it up perfectly.

I never considered changing my name and knew my whole life I wouldn't.

You don't HAVE to do anything

Our last names aren't long by any means, just don't go together well and seem long to me in terms of online applications and things like that where they only give you a certain amount of room for last names.

I definitely DO want to take FH last name! I've always been excited about having it, just too attached to drop my name. I think the two middle names may be the best way to go to avoid confusion on which last name to call me by (want to be called by FH's name).

Anyone had or known anyone who had issues with two middle names?

Check your state laws, too. In New York, at least, you are not allowed to change your middle name on the marriage license.

I'm doing two middle names. Some people have asked what they should call me. My preference is Ms. Maiden Last, but Mrs. Last and Ms. Maiden is fine. I won't get mad if someone calls me that. But, anything legal or recorded (Drs appts) will definitely be just Last.

Yeah, this largely depends on your state if you can do this at all.

I feel the same way as you. I kept my entire name and just added FH last name. So I have 2 middle names now- middle and maiden. The guy at ss said it might be a little difficult and confusing but I didn't want to lose my maiden name.

Thank you all! I think I am going to go with two middle instead of two last!

I plan on changing my middle name to my maiden name then have my only last name be my married one. I work in the banking industry and I've seen some issues with paper work, not only within our company but with check writing, payroll, incoming wires (etc.) for people who have hyphenated or two last names. Just something to consider.

My mom changed her middle name to her maiden name when she married my dad, and growing up, I thought that's just what people did. It's always been my plan to do the same.

I have a co-worker with two middle initials and she doesn't seem to have issues with "paperwork" at work, but like @JennV mentioned, banks are more restrictive.

My FH is Brazilian and in their culture & family tradition you drop your middle name and insert your maiden name as a middle name. I do not intend to do so because I do love my middle name and as much as I love my current last name I just want to share my husbands last name. But I do think that it is interesting to do so

I think having two middle names is a great idea! We are thinking of honoring my dad and my last name by naming our first child with that name (it is a cute first name for a boy or girl). My FH's name is his mom's maiden name, so we would be continuing a sweet family tradition But I totally understand you wanting to keep both your middle name and last name, while still taking your FH's name!

You can do first name and use your middle name as your second name and then your maiden name as your middle name and your husbands last name as your last name.

I have 2 middle names. I'm Filipino and in my culture, children take their mother's maiden name as a second middle name. For the most part, I've had no problems. There was one city I lived in where the voter registration could only handle 1 middle name, so they fused my names into 1 long middle name. Social security and the DMV have never had a problem. Just be aware that in some states, it costs extra money to change your middle name. I know that's the case in California.

My maiden name is 4 letters. My current last name is 5. My new last name will be 8. Maybe take your current last name, make it a second middle name and take your married name.

I second the using your maiden name professionally and married name socially.

I have two middle names (given and maiden). Best decision I could make for me. I love having a family name with DH, but I couldn't let go of my maiden.

One of my coworkers has a double barrel last name (maiden married, no hyphen) for 12 years. She said it's been a nightmare in terms of writing up contracts, deeds, etc, it's confusing/long, and she wishes she hadn't done it. It's honestly her experience that made me choose two middle names. No regrets here!

I'm hyphenating