The surname fuss: A married woman's predicament!

Originally posted by: King-Anu

And where did that existing surname came from? Father or Mother? lol.

- On individual scale one still has the right to change their maiden name or not take the surname legally if I am not mistakes

- On level of society we cannot go back now as the whole system is built around it. It is like English language which has became the medium to communicate among different people. Even if we don't like it to change it will be a problem.

- On principle, I see your point. lol.

I dont think, a person's identity depends on a surnames...I know some people who use to say,''I liked my husband's surname more'' ...One practical difficulty, If anyone want to go outside india, or what about getting visa from outside countries ? For traveling on " spouses visa " claiming visa by virtue of her husband' s visa status , one of the cardinal points foreign countries check is whether in the visa application , husband's name has been taken by the wife a her last name or surname . If not, "spouse" visa could be refused. but she can apply separately and obtain tourist visa for limited period ...government of India shld take up this matter through diplomatic channels and incorporate the spirit of the Indian Law in respect of changing / taking names by women after marriage..😊

I never understood the tradition of changing names. Many people in my grandmothers generation didn't just change last names, but first names as well. Irrespective of who our names come from, our name has been ours from childhood to adult life. It is a part of identity and one should not have to change it. To me the thought of changing my last name is inconceivable. Not just is it unfair, it is such a hassle. Submit official name change forms. Update all your social networks. Update your banks, credit cards, wireless provider, employer, retirement account, voter registration, drivers license and registration – it is a pain in the ass that's not even worth anything.

I would be open to hyphenated last names if my spouse will also hyphenate theirs. The children will also have hyphenated last names. But what if children with hyphenated names marry each other. So hypothetically a Rai-Bacchan were to marry a Arora-Khan they would become Rai-Bacchan-Arora-Khan, and what if they in turn marry someone with quadruple hyphens? The Sri Lankans will have a run for their money with long names.

Some people are doing away with family names and giving their kids neutral names at birth. So John Doe does not name his kids Jane John Doe & James John Doe. He names them Jane Shannon Rose and James Michael Ryan or something like that. Eventually, many decades down the road, I think names passed through generations may slowly fade away. But who knows.