How to add a last name with a hyphen
October 7, 2006 9:02 PM Subscribe
How do I add my mother's maiden name to mine? ( hyphen)?
I am interested in adding in my moms parental and genetic input into the equation. So how do I go about adding in her last name logistically?
I am interested in adding in my moms parental and genetic input into the equation. So how do I go about adding in her last name logistically?
Search for "name change"+"your location"; this varies a great deal from place to place. Where I live you would need to file a petition and appear before a judge.
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:42 PM on October 7, 2006
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:42 PM on October 7, 2006
I know this isn't what you asked, but my two cents anyway: As someone who has a hyphenated name (from both parents), I just want to bring up the possibility that it will be more trouble than its worth. I like the symbolism of having both of my parents' names, but it's been a significant hassle - and that's without the added complications of changing it. A fair amount of computer forms (e.g. for bank accounts and e-commerce) don't recognize a hyphen, leading to problems when names on different accounts don't match up. Plus, the added length can often often cause problems. For example, I'm always pulled aside for extra special security at the airport because the ticket doesn't match the name on my driver's license.
Anyway, just a few things to keep in mind. I'm sure other mefites will come through on your original question.
posted by purplevelvet at 10:04 PM on October 7, 2006
Anyway, just a few things to keep in mind. I'm sure other mefites will come through on your original question.
posted by purplevelvet at 10:04 PM on October 7, 2006
I'm considering doing the same thing, except if I do, I'll put her name as a second middle name, instead of the clunky hyphen.
posted by stray at 10:23 PM on October 7, 2006
posted by stray at 10:23 PM on October 7, 2006
The problem with this is that it isn't sustainable over multiple generations. If you have a hyphenated surname, and marry someone with a hyphenated surname, and have kids, do they then get triply hyphenated surnames? And do your grandchildren carry 8 surnames separated by seven hyphens?
One way or another, someone's surname has to get dropped from one generation to the next.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 11:07 PM on October 7, 2006
One way or another, someone's surname has to get dropped from one generation to the next.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 11:07 PM on October 7, 2006
My fella & both his brothers have their mother's maiden name (society seriously needs a better, less patriarchy-oriented name for it than that) as their middle name. When his parents divorced, he started using it, such that when he writes his name he uses all three, and when he gives his initials there are three of them too.
They flow well, so he's lucky, but I find this to be an elegant solution.
posted by librarina at 11:10 PM on October 7, 2006
They flow well, so he's lucky, but I find this to be an elegant solution.
posted by librarina at 11:10 PM on October 7, 2006
Steven C. Den Beste writes "The problem with this is that it isn't sustainable over multiple generations. If you have a hyphenated surname, and marry someone with a hyphenated surname, and have kids, do they then get triply hyphenated surnames? And do your grandchildren carry 8 surnames separated by seven hyphens?
"One way or another, someone's surname has to get dropped from one generation to the next."
They've been doing this in Quebec for ages. I think the formula is:
Assume A=male, B=female
Mother of A is Foo Bar + Baz
Father of A is Joe Baz + Bar
Mother of B is Alice Gab + Gob
Father is Joe Gob + Gab
The names combine in marriage to A&B Bar-Gob. I think. This may be the rum talking.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:42 PM on October 7, 2006 [1 favorite]
"One way or another, someone's surname has to get dropped from one generation to the next."
They've been doing this in Quebec for ages. I think the formula is:
Assume A=male, B=female
Mother of A is Foo Bar + Baz
Father of A is Joe Baz + Bar
Mother of B is Alice Gab + Gob
Father is Joe Gob + Gab
The names combine in marriage to A&B Bar-Gob. I think. This may be the rum talking.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:42 PM on October 7, 2006 [1 favorite]
In the U.S. there's a common law right to change your name simply by use, so long as the purpose of the name change isn't fraudulent. In an era of pervasive dependence on computerized records, name change by use alone has become impractical. However, out of deference to that common law right, the legal process for name change is relatively simple.
The process works more or less like this (some variation by state).
(1) change your name at the local courthouse, by marriage or by petition. Marriage name changes are granted automatically if you tick a box on your license; petition name changes typically require publication in a local newspaper and a 2-minute court hearing, but unless someone says you're doing it to commit fraud, it will be granted.
(2) use the documentation from above to apply for and receive a new Social Security card.
(3) use your new Social Security card and the documentation from #2 to change your drivers license, passport, and any professional licenses you may hold.
(4) use all of the above to change your bank accounts, credit cards, personnel and payroll files at work and other private sector tthings.
posted by MattD at 7:13 AM on October 8, 2006
The process works more or less like this (some variation by state).
(1) change your name at the local courthouse, by marriage or by petition. Marriage name changes are granted automatically if you tick a box on your license; petition name changes typically require publication in a local newspaper and a 2-minute court hearing, but unless someone says you're doing it to commit fraud, it will be granted.
(2) use the documentation from above to apply for and receive a new Social Security card.
(3) use your new Social Security card and the documentation from #2 to change your drivers license, passport, and any professional licenses you may hold.
(4) use all of the above to change your bank accounts, credit cards, personnel and payroll files at work and other private sector tthings.
posted by MattD at 7:13 AM on October 8, 2006
The names combine in marriage to A&B Bar-Gob. I think. This may be the rum talking.
It may. I think you've turned two less-interesting but more-common bits into that rule: first, that in Quebec it's much more uncommon for a woman to take her husband's last name when married, and second, that they're free to name their child with both of their last names.
They definitely don't always do it, though. Most people in Quebec have single last names.
posted by mendel at 9:05 AM on October 8, 2006
It may. I think you've turned two less-interesting but more-common bits into that rule: first, that in Quebec it's much more uncommon for a woman to take her husband's last name when married, and second, that they're free to name their child with both of their last names.
They definitely don't always do it, though. Most people in Quebec have single last names.
posted by mendel at 9:05 AM on October 8, 2006
In Spain complex surnames are the norm. The children take the first part of each parents surname. So, if Jose Garcia Lorca marries Maria Gonzales Orjuela any children they have would have Garcia Gonzales as their surname. It's a pretty simple system. Interestingly the woman's name is not changed at all upon getting married.
In Cuba the norm is to place the husbands name in front of the wife's maiden name. So, using the names above, Maria would become Maria Garcia Gonzales and their children would also be Garcia Gonzaleses. Again, not particularly difficult nor problematic.
In both systems their is the odd (to americans in the USA) consequence that the chldren do not share the father's full surname.
posted by oddman at 9:53 AM on October 8, 2006
In Cuba the norm is to place the husbands name in front of the wife's maiden name. So, using the names above, Maria would become Maria Garcia Gonzales and their children would also be Garcia Gonzaleses. Again, not particularly difficult nor problematic.
In both systems their is the odd (to americans in the USA) consequence that the chldren do not share the father's full surname.
posted by oddman at 9:53 AM on October 8, 2006
Use your mother's maiden name as your middle name. Worked for Richard Gere.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 7:25 PM on October 8, 2006
posted by obiwanwasabi at 7:25 PM on October 8, 2006
Funny, people seem to be ignoring the actual question (and suggesting you do something else) more than usual in this case. :)
Anyway: you just file a petition at your county's courthouse (using forms you can find for free by Googling). You will pay a small court fee -- and, probably, an equally small fee for running a text notice in the local paper's classified section, which is usually required by law to notify the world what you're doing. Then, as mattD says, get a new SS card and the rest will follow. That's how it worked for me when I changed my last name to my mom's.
posted by allterrainbrain at 1:10 AM on October 9, 2006
Anyway: you just file a petition at your county's courthouse (using forms you can find for free by Googling). You will pay a small court fee -- and, probably, an equally small fee for running a text notice in the local paper's classified section, which is usually required by law to notify the world what you're doing. Then, as mattD says, get a new SS card and the rest will follow. That's how it worked for me when I changed my last name to my mom's.
posted by allterrainbrain at 1:10 AM on October 9, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by edgeways at 9:09 PM on October 7, 2006