Did you change your name when you got married?

[Jenn! 918]

I'm just wondering how many of you changed your last name (obviously, that is, if you are a woman, which most of us are!) From what Wadi told me, it is not common practice in Morocco - is that true? I didn't change my name.

[raymaga 25]

I changed my name to my husband's name because I like the idea of sharing his name and I also asked what his preference was.... and he said he would like me to take his name.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I didn't change my last name.

The reasoning behind this (at least in Egypt) lays in Islam and in tradition. So, for those who like to avoid religious topics, stop reading my post now

There is a hadith that states that on the day of Judgment, we will be called by our father's names. Thus, in Egypt, kids are named (first name) (father's name) (grandfather's name) (great father's name) (family name). A wife doesn't change her name upon marriage, because she has her father's names.

As far as I know, this is the tradition of most ME/NA countries.

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth did

[Jenn! 918]

I didn't change my last name.

The reasoning behind this (at least in Egypt) lays in Islam and in tradition. So, for those who like to avoid religious topics, stop reading my post now

There is a hadith that states that on the day of Judgment, we will be called by our father's names. Thus, in Egypt, kids are named (first name) (father's name) (grandfather's name) (great father's name) (family name). A wife doesn't change her name upon marriage, because she has her father's names.

As far as I know, this is the tradition of most ME/NA countries.

Thanks. I was wondering about the reasons behind it....

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I changed my name, too. Well to be exact, I kept my maiden name and added his afterward (no hyphen.)

It is not traditional for in many Muslim societies for women to change their names -- wives usually keep their maiden names after marriage. But when we explained the custom to my husband's family, they were quite charmed with the idea that I would share their name.

Now I have the longest name of anyone I know !

-MK

[jordanianprincess 0]

I didn't change my last name.

The reasoning behind this (at least in Egypt) lays in Islam and in tradition. So, for those who like to avoid religious topics, stop reading my post now

There is a hadith that states that on the day of Judgment, we will be called by our father's names. Thus, in Egypt, kids are named (first name) (father's name) (grandfather's name) (great father's name) (family name). A wife doesn't change her name upon marriage, because she has her father's names.

As far as I know, this is the tradition of most ME/NA countries.

Actually Rahma, it's the same in Christianity in the Middle East. There are no formal papers to change your name. I know in Jordan they have family books, do they have those in Egypt?. So when someone gets married there, the man will go make a family book with government and each time they have a child it gets registered in this book. The same is true for what you said about the fathers name too, its how people identify you there.

If you say your name is Lisa Jones, there are a million people with the name jones, so thats why people there take their fathers name as the middle name, because it would be Lisa Michael Jones, Lisa, daughter of Michael Jones.

Great topic!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Actually Rahma, it's the same in Christianity in the Middle East. There are no formal papers to change your name. I know in Jordan they have family books, do they have those in Egypt?. So when someone gets married there, the man will go make a family book with government and each time they have a child it gets registered in this book. The same is true for what you said about the fathers name too, its how people identify you there.

I was wondering about that. Thanks for sharing I haven't heard anything about a family book though. I'll ask Tamer tonight.

[Bosco 1]

I will. I haven't actually gotten around to doing the running around it will require (and my husband keeps asking me when I will). MK's situation is quite similar to mine - my father-in-law was quited pleased with the idea! My new name will also be VERY long.

Rebecca

Edited April 27, 2006 by rhouni

[~*Dorothy*~ 2]

Hi all!

We will have our civil ceremony on May 5th and I have decided to take my Jamal's last name...I still have my ex-husband's name and I feel that it is time to change it...new life new name...new beginings...I feel that I want to share his name and this way feel closer to him and his family...

[chocolaterie 0]

I didn't change my name either=). But for me it was a cultural thing.

[fatimah 0]

I'm just wondering how many of you changed your last name (obviously, that is, if you are a woman, which most of us are!) From what Wadi told me, it is not common practice in Morocco - is that true? I didn't change my name.

Hi there, it's not common at any muslim country. The wife normally keeps her family name. But here in america I assume this is where you will reside its' common here to take our husbands name. Actually, I married in Morocco but for better indications show you are truly serious of your relationship via the paperwork I would change it to your husbands name. My husband agreed as well.

Just my input.

[Jenn! 918]

I'm just wondering how many of you changed your last name (obviously, that is, if you are a woman, which most of us are!) From what Wadi told me, it is not common practice in Morocco - is that true? I didn't change my name.

Hi there, it's not common at any muslim country. The wife normally keeps her family name. But here in america I assume this is where you will reside its' common here to take our husbands name. Actually, I married in Morocco but for better indications show you are truly serious of your relationship via the paperwork I would change it to your husbands name. My husband agreed as well.

Just my input.

Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. I think the tradition is becoming less common even here in America. Hopefully my not taking my husband's name wouldn't be frowned upon.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. I think the tradition is becoming less common even here in America. Hopefully my not taking my husband's name wouldn't be frowned upon.

I shouldn't think so. If the officers ask, explain it's a cultural preference or it's your personal choice. I would hope the officers would understand that other cultures do things differently, or that many american women don't change their last name. With all of the other evidence offered (joint lease, joint bank account, etc etc etc), that should be more than enough.

I guess I'll let ya'll know after our AOS interview in a month.

[Veiled Princess 1]

I'm not changing my last name. Like Rahma said, this practice is not in Islam but I actually didn't like this practice even before I became muslim. My personal reason is because it's like transferring ownership of the woman from her father to her husband and it's belitteling (sp?) to women. I like the idea that I have my own identity and I'm not just Mrs. HIM. Besides it never really made much sense to me... my father (as much as I may loathe him at times ) is my daddy and getting married does not change that. It also seems a little dishonest to me because I wasn't born into his family so why would I have their name? Unless, like I said, ownership of me has transferred from my family to his which is totally unacceptable to me.