Name Change

[Marry American 0]

I think a lot about things after getting officially married. One of the things that has crossed my mind is about changing my name to my husbands. After we officially get married, my name would be Julie El lastname. We are now pregnant so of course the baby would have his last name, but I do not think I will change my name to his last name. What are your thoughts about this?

[kerewin21 2]

I changed my name because I didn't really identify with my last name (it didn't really reflect my heritage, not that my new moroccan name does), because my new last name is more interesting, and because generally i think it's easier if you both have the same last name. The down side is nobody can pronounce it!

Sharon

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Still a "thinking" issue for me, mine now of course would be my xs last name but since my mom has now gotten older i have alot of legal documents already in this same name, thinking it would cause alot of confusion to change now.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

I think it's up to how you feel about it -- it's entirely your decision.

It is not a cultural tradition in the Muslim ME/NA for a wife to take her husband's name, so your husband probably won't be expecting that.

But my husband and his family were quite charmed by the idea.

-MK

[Together4ever 1]

I did change my name. Its something we discussed long beforehand and was an agreement. He wasn't comfortable with me retaining my ex's name and neither was I. We also decided it was outwardly symbolic of the partnership we chose. Yes its a royal pain changing it on everything, but worth it for us. I also can respect retaining the name you had prior to marriage. Its a matter of what you and your husband are most comfortable with I guess.

[patiently_waiting 0]

Originally I was going to maintain my maiden name. However, we have talked about Rida adopting my daughter. So, I will be taking his name so that we will all have the same family name. I dread having to change everything, not only for me, but for my daughter too. However, in the end, I think it is worth it. Basically a personal decision for you to make. Talk to him and see what his feelings are.

[melly 0]

At first I figured I would take his name though we hadn't spoken of it, and then I learned that as a muslim woman I should retain my last name after marriage. I like the idea of taking his last name, except for the fact that no one would ever be able to say it right or spell it right. I'm still not sure what I'll do, it remains to be seen after we get married insha'Allah.

[Aymerlu 3]

I couldn't wait to change my name! My maiden name was a plain jane name, and my ex had a plain jane name. Plus, I couldn't wait to get my ex's name away from me I love my new name

[Michaela_Hassan 1]

I took my husbands last name, my last name was from my ex, so keeping it wasn't an option for me, couldn't wait to get rid of it lol. In Morocco the women retain their last name, so I'm sure if you choose to go that route, your hubby won't be offended. Congrats on your pregnancy!

Michaela

[melly 0]

Forgot to mention, I did take my husband's last name during my first marriage and changed it back to my maiden name when divorced. And yes, that is a pain to change everything.

[LaL 418]

i did change my name, like amy also had a plane jane name... i love it now! its actually pretty shocking to me how few people can actually pronnounce my new name! its one of the most popular names there and usually in the news still people butcher it. my in-laws just think its so cute that I took his name since its not typically done for a woman.

[appletree352002 0]

After my divorce I change my last name to my maiden name, when I got married to my new husband I just added his last name to my so now is

Carrera-Semlani.

I love my maiden last name but I wanted to honor him by taking his last name. By me keeping my last name and adding my husbands last name made it easy to deal with some of the people or places that still have my single last name.

[Jenn! 918]

I really like my last name, and of course it wouldn't be a problem for me to have changed it either, but Wadi was not expecting it and found the custom a bit strange. So we just decided that I'd keep my name.

[Ban Hammer 13,349]

what is the standard islamic custom regarding this?

[~Jackie~ 30]

Even tho Jordanian custom would be for me to keep my family name, I took Mohammeds. His family was happy with that decision because we would be living in America and that is the norm here.

Jackie