Last name

[Phantaja]

I'm about thisclose to a divorce and I don't want to walk around with my husbands last name after the deed is done. I want to have children and odds are I'll be doing it alone, so while I want to have the same name as my children, it's obviously not going to be his.

The thing is, I'm not so crazy about my maiden name either. It's a fun name, and I like the name, I just don't like the connection with who I used to be.

I'm thinking about taking my middle name as my last name. The thing is, it's pretty feminine, and certainly not last name material. I also worry about passing a feminine last name down to a baby boy.

I asked my mother about it, and she said that if Angelina Jolie could do it, I could to. But would you take a girly name as a last name?

[lolar2]

I've known some people with very strange last names, so the concept doesn't bother me. But if you decide not to go that route, is there another family name you might use? My aunt took her grandmother's maiden name after a divorce.

[Momma Moo Martin]

If that is the name you feel right with, go ahead and take it as your last name. Why not? Like the pp said, I have come across some interesting last names before. I hope that whatever you do (take your middle name, go with a different family name, make something up and go with it, etc.) that you love, love, love your new identity! Good Luck!

[Carhootel]

I say take the middle name as your last name. There are some really weird last names out there and it doesn't sound like yours would be weird, just feminine. No problem with that in the grand scheme

[A&A]

If your maiden last name is fun and cool, I'd keep that, even if it's not your "identity" at the moment. That sounds like a better last name to pass on.

[Sharlla]

In your situation I would just change your name to something you like. It only cost me $192 and was very simple to do. My last name is from a Sci/fi book LOL

Well when I got divorced I did keep my name but only because I had just legally changed it 3 years ago. (we had the whole family name changed to new name) and I like the new name. I also decided to keep it when I remarried.

I believe X is now engaged and his GF refuses to take the name since I still have it so I hear that they will come up with a new last name.

[CliffRose]

Originally Posted by lolar2

I've known some people with very strange last names, so the concept doesn't bother me. But if you decide not to go that route, is there another family name you might use? My aunt took her grandmother's maiden name after a divorce.

That's a good idea. Find a name that you like in your family's history, the name of someone whom you love and respect, and use that.