It seems it’s not as uncommon as we may think for men to take their wives’ last names when they become man and wife!
While it may not be as popular as the idea of a woman changing her last name to her husband’s, there are many men out there who have no qualms changing their name. Zoe Saldana’s husband Marco made headlines in 2015 when he decided to take her surname, the Guardians of the Galaxy actress told Instyle:
“I tried to talk him out of it. I told him: ‘If you use my name, you’re going to be emasculated by your community of artists, by your Latin community of men, by the world.'”
“But Marco looks up at me and says, ‘Ah, Zoe, I don’t give a s***.'”
The actress then took to Facebook to urge men to defy gender stereotypes:
“Fathers, sons, brothers, men everywhere: Your legacy will not perish if you take your partner’s surname, or she keeps hers. I’ve been made aware that a comment I made regarding my marriage has garnered some attention. I felt proud that my husband decided to take my last name as his own… and I his.”
“Men, you will not cease to exist by taking your partner’s surname. On the contrary — you’ll be remembered as a man who stood by change. I know our sons will respect and admire their father more because their father lead by example.”
Some other men (and some of their partners) have told Whisper the reasons behind their choice, and it looks like they’re all really happy with their decision!
1.
“My husband took my name after we got married. Although, I didn’t ask him to, we discussed it.”
2.
“I took my wife’s name because she has kids and it was easier to just change my name than to give the other three kids a new name.”
3.
“I took my wife’s name because I didn’t want any connection to my dad anymore. It actually felt really freeing to take hers.”
4.
“My wife has a doctorate and I wanted our kids to have the same name as both of us, so I took hers. It seemed like a major pain to try and change hers and this was easier.”
5.
“I took my wife’s last name. Hopefully someday last names will be passed along matriarchal lines.”
6.
“I’m taking my fiancee’s name so we can keep her family line alive. She is really happy about it.”
7.
“I hated the way my last name sounded and so I asked if we could take her name.”
8.
“When I get married, I’ll either take my wife’s name or we’ll pick out a new name together. I don’t want to keep my last name. I want to start out fresh just her and I as our own little family.”
9.
“I’m a man but I took my wife’s last name. Her last name is Champion there is no way we were going with my boring last name, Hamilton!”
10.
“Because my surname is Ramsbottom and I don’t want my kids to be bullied like I was, I’d rather be Jones thanks.”
11.
“My family disowned me, her’s welcomed me with open arms.”
12.
“I want to take my wife’s name… Mostly because then I’ll have a superhero name.”
13.
“My husband did. It was because he wants nothing to do with his biological dad. He decided this when he was a kid (we got together in college).”
Images: Getty Images, Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Moet & Chandon
By Marni Dixit
