I hate my middle name. Is it okay to drop it completly when I get married?

Question

I'd want to use my maiden name as my new middle name; I don't want to have one of those hyphenated names. I want to go by my first name and my fiance's last name, but drop my middle name and keep my maiden name as my new middle name.

Answer 1

Sure - that's what I did

Answer 2

I wanted to do the same thing! I hate my middle name ~ love my maiden name. I am also considering dropping the middle name only. That way I can keep my maiden name w/out hyphenating.



Of course, my middle name is the same as my mom... she would be horribly hurt that I changed it, so don't know if I will actually go through with it.



But if that is what you want to do, I think you should go for it =)

Answer 3

State laws vary but here in NY there is no mention made if a person's middle name. It is only the Surname that they are interested in. Below is from the NYS department of health's website. Your state has a similar page somewhere I am sure.



Surname Options

Every person has the right to adopt any name by which he or she wishes to be known simply by using that name consistently and without intent to defraud. A person's last name (surname) does not automatically change upon marriage, and neither party to the marriage is required to change his or her last name. The bride and groom need not take the same last name.



One or both parties to a marriage may elect to change the surname by which he or she wishes to be known after the marriage by entering the new name in the appropriate space provided on the marriage license. The new name must consist of one of the following options:



the surname of the other spouse;

any former surname of either spouse;

a name combining into a single surname all or a segment of the premarriage surname or any former surname of each spouse;

a combination name separated by a hyphen, provided that each part of such combination surname is the premarriage surname, or any former surname, of each of the spouses.

The use of this option will provide a record of your change of name. The marriage certificate, containing the new name, if any, is proof that the use of the new name, or the retention of the former name, is lawful. The local Social Security Administration office should be contacted so that its records and your social security identification card reflect the name change. There is no charge for this service.



Whether you decide to use or not use this option at the time of your marriage license application, you still have the right to adopt a different name through usage at some future date. However, your marriage license cannot be changed to record a surname you decide to use after your marriage.



If you plan to use your married name at work, be sure to have your name changed in Social Security records. This way, you will get credit for all your earnings. It's easy and it's absolutely free. Contact any Social Security office. Look in the telephone book for the address and phone number. You will need documentary evidence showing both your old name and your new name.

Answer 4

It used to be the case that a woman took her maiden name as her middle name when she got married. Everyone is my family has done that for generations, myself and my sister included, and we are under 40. I for one did not want to give up my last name completely when I wed, as it is an integral part of who I am. My name is not hyphenated, just different now. I took my husbands last name, but kept mine at the same time. In fact, my aunt (father's side) gave 2 of her boys her maiden name as a middle name, simply due to the history in our family.

Answer 5

Yes, actually I had never heard of this until I got married, but on my husbands side of the family, this is tradition. All the women drop their middle name and use their maiden name instead. I would have done it if I didn't have such an unusual and very long maiden name.

Answer 6

My wife has used her maiden name as her middle name for 22 years and has had no problems with it. When you fill out the change of name forms for drivers license and social security, just place your maiden name as the middle name

Answer 7

There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing that but you need to make sure that the state you live in allows that. I just moved to Indiana after getting married and went to the DMV to change my name and have my maiden name be my middle name but apparently the state of Indiana doesn't allow that. Other states probably do but I don't know which ones. The only way I could change my name to have my maiden name be my middle name would be to do it through the courts which I didn't feel like dealing with. You should check with the DMV if its possible in your state and if not, decide whether to just deal with it or go through the courts to change it to the name you wanted. My DMV only told me either use my middle name as still my middle name or hyphenate which I also didn't want to do. I hope I've helped. Nothing wrong with doing it, just make sure you can! :)



(I just saw someone else say they did even though theyre in Indiana too but I think the laws recently changed and I only changed my name a few months ago-anyway still! Check your own state. :))

Answer 8

My mother used her maiden name as her middle name after she was married.

I wish I had done the same now.



My SIL used her maiden name for her daughter's middle name - so now the family name is carried on even tho there were no boys.

Answer 9

MANY women drop their middle name and use their maiden name instead. In fact, many lawyers recommend that (I can't remember why exactly). I plan to change my middle name (I have a meaningless middle name but don't want to use my maiden name).

Answer 10

There's nothing wrong with that. That's what most women do when they get married. I kept my first and middle names and dropped my maiden name simply because I go by my middle name and my Mom's first name and mine were the same. I wasn't extremely attached to my maiden name but I was extremely attached to my Mom.

Answer 11

You can do that. I kept my middle name but I could have dropped it in favor of my maiden name.

Answer 12

I have heard of serveral people doing this...

it is your name so do whatever you want... however if it is a family name i would at least run it by whoever the name was passed down from first just so they are not surprised when you do it

Answer 13

Yes, you absolutely can drop your middle name. I did it when I got married and now use my family name as my middle name. All you have to do is put down your new name the way you want it on your marriage certificate (license).



After you are officially married and have a copy of your legal marriage license you can go and change any and all of your legal documentation to your new name. You'll want to remember to change your driver's license, social security, passport, and any banking accounts you have - among other things.



Good luck!



PS (when you get your marriage license - make sure to make a bunch of copies - everyplace that you go to change your name is going to want one!)

Answer 14

I have seen this done quite a few times. When I got married you go to choose your new name and sign it on the marriage certificate.

Answer 15

It depends where you live. You have been given some erroneous answers here. This is neither "normal" nor "mandatory in NC". If you do live in NC, read this: http://www.notaryrotary.com/archive/forum/2007/April/NC_Drivers_Licenses.html



If you live anywhere else get legal advice. There are lots of cultural biases and myths in this thread.

Answer 16

If you hate your middle name that much then go for it. Just make sure that it's legal when you do.

Answer 17

If you want you can...But to keep it official I think you have to go through a series of paperwork...If that's what you want I think it is okay for a married woman...But whoever gave you that middle name must've thought of it as pretty special. You should think twice before removing it and maybe you'll learn to like it.

Answer 18

Alot of women do that to preserve the family name nothing wrog with that

Answer 19

My future SIL did that when she got married. From what I can tell, a lot of people are doing that now. It's perfectly fine.

Answer 20

This sounds like a great plan.

Answer 21

In North Carolina (and I am assuming other states) you have no other option than to drop your middle name and take your maiden name was your new middle name...check with your state.

Answer 22

that is what my mother did when she remarried. a friend of mine did that as well.

Answer 23

alot of people do that already so it would be ok for you

Answer 24

Many gals do that.

Answer 25

go for it sweetie lots of girls do that now-a-days.

Answer 26

that's what I did and I live in Indiana

Answer 27

I think that sounds awesome.