Take your spouses name, or keep your own? Why not blend them together! Here are some good reasons to combine your last names.
Many brides of Long Island are comfortable taking their spouse’s last name, and many decide to keep their own. Some even decide that hyphenating their last names makes the most sense.
However, there’s a growing trend among many couples tying the knot — combining two surnames into an entirely new last name.
Combining last names (also called name blending) may seem a little unorthodox, but a lot of newlyweds feel that it’s the best decision. Here are a few reasons why you may want to combine your last names after marriage.
Image courtesy of Janelle Brooke Photography
It signifies a new start
Many couples choose name blending as a way to start fresh. This can be the case for newlyweds that had difficult relationships with relatives growing up, or for those who don’t strongly identify with their surnames and background.
Of course, the opposite can also be true — some partners feel incredibly tied to their names, and don’t want to adopt a new one after marriage. Combining your last names can be a compromise that honors both heritages, while also celebrating the start of your new family.
It can simplify things
In the past, choosing to hyphenate maiden names with married names was a popular choice. But this can get complicated, especially if both partners have long surnames. It can get even trickier if the pair plans to have children — will they take the hyphenated name, or the married name? Name blending can solve this problem, and give you plenty of space to write your new last name on paperwork 😂
It can show unity and equality
Marriage is a partnership, and giving each of your names equal footing can do a lot to symbolize that fact. Choosing to combine your last names represents both of you fairly, and allows both of you to enter into the next chapter with a shiny new last name.
It puts an end to patriarchal practices
Not to be unromantic, but do you know why women always took their husband’s last name after marriage? Because until a few centuries ago, women were considered their husband’s property with no independent legal identity of their own. A lot of brides don’t want to continue with a practice that’s rooted in inequality, but also want to share a name with their husbands and future children. If you combine your last names, your whole family can share in something that feels more modern and fair.
This is not to say that there’s anything wrong with taking your husband’s name! There are plenty of women that want and choose to do so. It’s totally up to you and what you feel comfortable doing — whether that’s taking your husband’s name, hyphenating names, or blending names — and there are no wrong decisions!
How to combine your last names on Long Island
If you and your fiancé have decided to combine your last names, you will simply need to use your new surname on your marriage license. Your new names are officially yours as soon as the ceremony is complete, and you can use your license as proof of identity to change your name elsewhere.
