Change to husband name

[wahwah]

I'm HK Chinese, going to married English man. I would like to know, are there any woman still change to use husband name after married?

[Claire ex-ax]

First, congratulations on your forthcoming nuptials!

Some Western women change their surname to their husband's. And some don't. It seems that nowadays more women do not change their surname. I didn't, even though that was a long, long time ago. There is no law, just an outdated tradition indicating the woman was the man's property.

Hong Kong women don't change surnames if they marry a Hong Kong man, but all the Hong Kong women I know who have married a Western man have changed their surname to his because to them it was important for everyone to know they married a foreigner. One even would put on a (bad) fake British accent; please don't go that far.

So, in short it's up to you!

[cathy789]

I'm British born Chinese and although I understand that it is the norm to take husband's surname over there, I didn't. I'd rather keep my own sense of identity and who I am. Silly perhaps but that's just me. It's totally up to you.

[wahwah]

First, congratulations on your forthcoming nuptials!

Some Western women change their surname to their husband's. And some don't. It seems that nowadays more women do not change their surname. I didn't, even though that was a long, long time ago. There is no law, just an outdated tradition indicating the woman was the man's property.

Hong Kong women don't change surnames if they marry a Hong Kong man, but all the Hong Kong women I know who have married a Western man have changed their surname to his because to them it was important for everyone to know they married a foreigner. One even would put on a (bad) fake British accent; please don't go that far.

So, in short it's up to you!

In my mind, I would like to change to my husband surname. I'm just wondering should I keep my surname before husband surname. My husband said it's up to me about which way I want to.

By the way, once I heard an English friend said HK women didn't want to change their surname and use husband name.

[elle]

When I got married to Mr Elle it never occurred to me to change my name - it's just way too much trouble to change passport, bank account, ID card, etc.

[Gruntfuttock]

When I got married there was really no question of my wife changing her name. We saw no reason for her to do that any more than that I should change my name to hers (which at least would have had the advantage of more people actually being able to spell and pronounce it!).

It is a lot of hassle (for some nationalities a huge amount), and to be honest, when (as is likely(*)) you get divorced it will make the whole process much easier.

(*) Just a statistical observation, nothing personal.

[wtbhotia]

Most Mixed couples I know, the wives DID NOT CHANGE THEIR FAMILY NAME. Even mine didnt. It is as everyone says, up to you.

[wahwah]

When I got married there was really no question of my wife changing her name. We saw no reason for her to do that any more than that I should change my name to hers (which at least would have had the advantage of more people actually being able to spell and pronounce it!).

It is a lot of hassle (for some nationalities a huge amount), and to be honest, when (as is likely(*)) you get divorced it will make the whole process much easier.

(*) Just a statistical observation, nothing personal.

Ha ha... gladly that my husband surname is easy to pronounce and spell.

[Gruntfuttock]

The much harder question is "what should the kids be called".

[bibbju]

Hong Kong women don't change surnames if they marry a Hong Kong man, but all the Hong Kong women I know who have married a Western man have changed their surname to his because to them it was important for everyone to know they married a foreigner.

This is really sad but unfortunately, all too believable.