Gender-based surnaming practices are still common (see Jones et al., 2017). For instance, in Britain, around 74 % of married women have taken their husband’s surname (ibid. p. 310). Why do women choose to take their husband’s last name and why some choose to retain their own surname? Are the reasons behind women’s decisions individual or social? In their study, Jones et al. (2017, p. 314) state four main reasons for women to retain or change their surname: valuing or rejecting traditions, strengthening unity, easing the administration of everyday life and maintaining independence.
It is interesting that many of the respondents in the study believe that it is traditional to take the husband’s surname and not to question the decision at all (Jones et al., 2017, p. 315). In some cases, it is even the husband’s desire for the wife to take his surname. Some believe that the same last name will unify their family, which I can understand to some extent, especially with same-sex couples. Jones et al. (2017 p. 320) mention a lesbian respondent who believes that her family is seen more as a family, when they share the same last name. I think that nowadays it is quite common for Finnish women to keep their own surnames after marriage. According to Kotilainen (2016, p. 43), in Finland, it was legally mandated for women to take their husband’s surname from 1930s to 1980s – it was believed that the same surname would unify the family. However, in the late 1990s and the early 2000s, sharing the surname between spouses had declined significantly (Kotilainen, 2016, p. 53).
I wonder why it has to be the father’s surname to unify a family. Why is it still considered quite abnormal for husbands to take their wives’ surnames? If the main reason is to unify the family, would it not be possible with the wife’s surname, too? It is worth mentioning that the family, specifically future children, is often mentioned, when discussing changing surnames. It is assumed that all the married couples will have children, which is not always the case, especially with same-sex couples.
Administrative reasons to keep or change one’s surname has its pros and cons. Administrative reasons are often practical (Jones et al., 2017, p. 325). For instance, if I moved to a foreign country, it would be easier to take a local surname, because “Härkönen” has been quite tricky to spell and explain abroad. However, the world is changing and becoming more multilingual and multicultural, so I am sure that foreign surnames do not seem so foreign anymore in a few years’ time.
Nevertheless, names are part of our identities (Jones et al., 2017, p. 321). For me at least, my surname is a huge part of me and my independence. It would be odd to suddenly call myself other than the name that I have used for decades. However, I wonder if it even were a feminist statement to keep my own surname after marriage, as it has been inherited from my father. Thus, the gender-based naming practices are already there.
In my opinion, the most equal surnames are double-barrel surnames and chimeras. However, double-barrel surnames would be difficult to pass on as the names would become longer and longer, whereas chimeras do require some administrative changes. However, I find it interesting that, in Finland, the name of the partner may be taken, if the couple have lived in a joint household for at least five years or have a child in common care (see Local Register Offices’ website). Thus, changing surnames is not only linked with marriages.
It is fascinating how important surnames are. They mean various things to us and, for some, are part of our identities. However, a new decade has arrived. The world is changing, and so should the naming practices too. It should not be assumed that women will take their husband’s surname or vice versa. Nevertheless, we should not judge people by their decision to keep or change their surname after marriage.
References
Jones, L., Mills, S., Paterson, L.L., Turner, G. and Coffey-Glover, L., 2019. Identity and naming practices in British marriage and civil partnerships. [Accessed 11.12.19].
Kotilainen, S., 2016. Suomalaisen perheen yhteisen sukunimen lyhyt historia. Kasvatus & Aika 10(5), 2016, pp. 42–57.
Local Register Offices’ website. Available at: www.maistraatti.fi/fi/Palvelut/nimiasiat/Puolison-sukunimi/. [Accessed 14.12.19].