Survey Says - Did You Take Your Husband's Last Name?

Did you take your husband's last name? If so, when did you change it and was the process difficult? If not, how did your husband react to you not taking his last name?

I did not take my husbands last name, it is Smith and we already have problems with his identity being stolen. He was fine with it although I told him if he wanted me to I would change my name. Also keep in mind I am 47 and although this is my first marriage, my identity and career are tied up in my maiden name. It would be different if we were going to have children, but we are not. - Michelle, married March 2007

I did take his name, and I waited to start the process until after we got back from the honeymoon since we traveled out of the country, and we know how tough it can be to travel these days, so I didn’t want to get caught with one form of ID with one name, and another form with a different name. I am still working on changing my name, and probably will for some time, but all of the major stuff is done. A friend emailed me with this website that made it super easy to get the process started, it helped a great deal. (www.angelfire.com/ma/dnsassoc/need.html and www.angelfire.com/ma/dnsassoc/tools.html).- Melanie, married June 2007

I did take my husband’s last name and I made the change the week we got back from our honeymoon. The process of changing my name was not difficult, it was just time consuming. - Nona, married August 2007

Yes, I changed my last name, but to Brown-Kinell because I have a business with my maiden name. My husband was perfectly fine with whatever I did, however I know it makes him proud that I wanted his last name. Yes, the process was very difficult, especially if you own your own business because not only does your personal stuff have to be changed, but all of the business stuff too. -Lauren, married May 2007

I have not changed my name at this time, but I may add his last name in the future. My husband encouraged me to choose the name I felt most comfortable with, while insisting that he prefers me to keep my name the way it was when we first met. - Amanda, married October 2007

Photo courtesy of Sharpe Photographers