Weddingbee Blog

I’m not changing my name, simple as that. Not because I’m a feminist, not because I like my name (I do), not because I don’t like Mr. Toadstool’s name; simply because I don’t have the option (not that I want to).

Image via Simpsons Wikia

I always wondered why Marge’s last name was Simpson just like everyone else’s, until in seventh grade my English teacher explained to me that in some countries the woman drops her last name and takes her husband’s. Really? Just like that?

Through the years I became familiar with the concept. I even got to talk to my Canadian roommate’s mom who explained her (very good) reasons for changing her name. (She wanted to have the same last name as her kids.)

The thing is in Mexico (and most Latin American countries) women don’t change their name—that’s just not an option. You just can’t change your name. I mean, I know there’s the option, but it’s a very complicated process where you need to go to court and give them a very good, legitimate reason for you to change your name, and even then they might not let you.

You know how it’s a cliché that we Latins have long names? that’s because we have two last names. In addition to my first and middle names, I have my dad’s first (paternal) last name and my mom’s first last name. Mr. Toadstool’s and my kids will have Mr. Toadstool’s dad’s last name and my dad’s last name, and so on.

There’s no way around it—when you’re born your parents are only asked about your first and middle name, and they automatically add the last name—simple really. And as I love visual aids, ’cause that the way my brain understands things, I made one:

So, I’ll be Miss Toadstool Dad’slastname Mom’slastname forever, and my kids will have my last name as their second one, although they might not use it as much if, like me, they only mention their second last name when it’s required.

Will you change your last name? If not, would you give your kids two last names?