I am the last of my line so keeping my maiden name was important for a lot of reasons. When hubby and I were engaged, he was all about changing his name or hyphenation. He actually changed his mind right before the wedding. Turns out he was really attached to his name.
I use a hyphen professionally and it can be a tongue twister. I am Mrs. Him socially. I have a Russian but really common first name; yet, people can't pronounce it if they read it off a page. I always felt saved because my maiden name is English. People had no problem with it so at least they got half my name right. I was hesitant to switch to my husband's last name, which I just love, but it is French. People can't pronounce it either if they read it off a page.
I also can’t tell you how disappointed I was to learn about names and marriage laws.
For years, I always thought that my name change, or not, was my choice and that I wielded some kind of power.
However, in Louisiana, a woman's name automatically (legally) changes to her husband's unless she signs formal papers to the contrary. I didn't know that until we bought a house 3 years ago and was going over the contract with the attorneys.
My son has my maiden name for his middle name, so the name does carry for another generation.
