When getting married who takes the last name?

2. Take your spouse’s name. The most traditional name-game routine is for a newlywed wife to take her husband’s last name. To follow this path, you should first request a certified copy of your marriage certificate from your state’s Department of Health.

Why does the bride take the groom’s last name?

For some, taking their husband’s last name simply serves to solidify the commitment. It’s a gesture that leaves no room for doubt—changing their surname after marriage shows they’re all in. For others, taking their husbands’ surname is more about the status of the family unit—when there is a family unit to speak of.

Does the wife or husband last name come first?

Both husband and wife use their first names, with the wife’s name listed first and the husband’s second. It helps to remember the old Southern rule of always keeping the man’s first and last name together. And, of course, last names are always written.

How do last names work in marriage?

When a person (traditionally the wife in many cultures) assumes the family name of their spouse, in some countries that name replaces the person’s previous surname, which in the case of the wife is called the maiden name (birth name is also used as a gender-neutral or masculine substitute for maiden name), whereas a …

Can a groom take the bride last name?

In rare instances, the groom takes the bride’s last name. Then there are couples who create an entirely new last name. Bottom line: As long as the legal name change doesn’t involve an attempt to defraud, you can pretty much choose to call yourselves whatever you want.

Can I just add my husband’s last name?

Every state has its own rules on what you can and can’t do regarding name changes after marriage. In most states, you have the option to take your spouse’s last name, hyphenate your last names, use two last names without a hyphen, or move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse’s last name.

Can both the bride and groom change their name?

Can my husband and I both change our names to a hyphenated version of our two names or a brand-new name? Yes, but in most places, you’ll have to get a court order to do it. Some couples want to be known by a hyphenated combination of their last names, and a few even make up new names that combine elements of each.

Should women take their husband’s last name?

Many argued that when women take their husband’s last name, it simply laid bare their perceived inferiority to men. While the practice of women taking their husband’s last name is not on any lawbook, common practices still forced their hands.

Is a name change considered part of the marriage process?

That’s because, depending on the state, your husband’s name change may not be considered part of the marriage process, but instead is seen as a legal name change where a marriage license isn’t enough. So before you head to the Social Security office, make sure to do your research.

Did people have last names in medieval times?

In medieval England, surnames didn’t even exist. The citizenry was known only by their first name. But as the population grew, however, keeping track of who’s who became a bit more difficult, and the modern convention (relatively speaking) of using surnames as an identifier soon became the norm.

Who is the brides real weddings editor?

Jaimie Mackey was the Brides real weddings editor from 2013 to 2015. She also worked as a luxury wedding planning producing over 100 high-end weddings and events over four wedding seasons in Colorado. As soon as you get engaged, many brides start hearing this question: “So, are you changing your name?”