The Problem with Last Names

Customs are changing when it comes to last names. In Canada, a woman used to take her husband's name automatically when they married. If her maiden name was Marie McDonald and she married Bart Simmons, she became Marie Simmons. On formal occasions, she was Mrs. Bart Simmons. And all of their children had "Simmons" as a last name.

Since the 1970s there has been a rapid change. Now many women keep their maiden name when they marry. Why? They don't want to disappear into their husband's identity. They want to keep their own identity, even after they are married. They want to keep their birth names, just as men do. Also, many women have careers and run businesses before they get married. A change in name might interrupt their careers.

What happens when these couples have children? Some people say a boy should get his father's name and a girl should get her mother's name. Others say that a boy should get his mother's name and a girl her father's. Sometimes the two people combine the last names. The children would be called "McDonald-Simmons" or "Simmons-McDonald." This custom was traditional in Spain.

Occasionally, both men and women change their name when they get married, usually by combining both their names. In the example we have been using, the two would become Bart McDonald-Simmons and Marie McDonald-Simmons. It doesn't happen often however, because not many men are interested in changing their names.

Some people say, "Oh, what's all the fuss about? It's not important." An example may show how important it is. Josh Elias marries Nancy Brooks. He is now called Mr. Nancy Brooks, and his children are called Nancy Brooks, Jr., Samuel Brooks and Marilyn Brooks. Is Josh happy with this arrangement? Or does he think it is ridiculous?