Here's a husband that did and look what it took for him to do so:

Californian Michael Buday was finally able to pick up his new driver's license Tuesday with his wife Diana's last name as his own -- Michael Bijon (BEE-yawn) -- after two years of legal wrangling, a lawsuit and the passage of a new state law. The 31-year-old computer programmer told reporters, "It was personal. I feel much closer to [Diana's] father than I do mine. She asked me to take her name and I thought it would be very simple. I never imagined the state would make it so difficult." Unlike the easy process it is for women who marry to legally take their husband's last name, Michael found that it would cost him a $350 fee, court appearances, a public announcement and a lot of paperwork in order for him to take his wife's name. California was one of some 40 states that don't provide a place on marriage license applications or driver's licenses for a man to take his wife's last name. So Michael turned to the ACLU, and a lawsuit alleging sex discrimination led to a new California law allowing married couples and registered domestic partners to choose whichever last name they prefer on their marriage and driving licenses.

Wow.

I was almost going to do this way back when. Ended up not, of course, but it was a thought at the time --and for similar reasons too.

After watching the politics right now, I am convinced we are still far more sexist than we are racist.

Good for him. He should write a small book and recover his costs.

I probably wouldn't take "Bijon" as my last name whether it was my wife's or not. Wouldn't want to be thought of as the "mustard guy."

Andrew

I would prefer not to change my name, but if a husband wants his wife's name, why not?

And, I'll take this opportunity to say how much I loathe hyphenated names. Either take your spouse's name or keep your own. Please don't hyphenate your name and give it to your kids, it's as bad as child abuse.

I wouldn't.
My name has 4 letters.
My wife's name was 7 letters and hard to pronounce.

That would be "Dijon" not bijon mustard

My wife didn't take my last name. She didn't want mine and I didn't want hers...end of story.

Our kids have four names. One of their middle names is my wife's last name. We didn't want to hyphenate our last names either.

People got over it and it's been that way for 20 years.

BTW-Vitalogy hows your wife's pregnancy going? How far along is she?

But it sounds like "dijon" and people will still think mustard!

Andrew

Chris, thanks for asking. We lost that pregnancy in early January to miscarraige (blighted ovum), but we are 10 weeks along as of today with a new one. So far, so good, but we are cautiously optimistic because this is the third time around for us.

Vitalogy-

My wife experienced a miscarriage with her first pregnancy. We found out that at least 20 percent of first time pregnancies do end in a miscarraige which was news to us.

I can certainly understand your cautious optimism. I will hold you and your wife in my thoughts....and if you don't mind...a few prayers.

I don't mind at all if they come from a person like you.

I appreciate that.

I'm not sure how far along your wife was with your previous pregnancies but that 6-8 week mark seems to be the magic number if the pregnancy continues.

All the best to you both. I would love to hear some of your stories about fatherhood from what I have read about you.

I think we all can pretty much guess what kind of musical influence you'll have over your child.

Vitalogy, one of my good friends also experienced several miscarriages her first few pregnancies, due in part to some previous issues she had. But she now has a healthy 4-month old baby boy. So it does work out eventually. Fingers crossed for you!

Andrew

Crossed here too!

Andrew: Totally on the mustard thing. If I had that name, I would probably reconsider keeping it!

He really loves her, that's for sure.

Hey Vitalogy,

I've been thinking about you and wanted to ask how you both were doing...I'm sorry for your loss, while excited for you now. The 3rd time was the charm for us, after 5 IUI's, 4 BFN's, and 2 m/c's, so hang in there! As you know, it's bittersweet and sometimes so hard to enjoy being pregant after those losses, and worrying every minute, but every week just gets you that much closer to that magic end result! Baby M and I will add daily prayers as well. If you ever need any support, let me know.

Peter Ames Carlin (The Oregonian) and Sarah Carlin Ames (PPS) both added their spouses name to their own, I like that!

I changed mine about 4 times after I got married at 34, all I had to do was go to the Social Security Office. First I hyphenated, decided I hated that and it looked so pretentious. Then I went to both last names, not hyphenated. Too long. Then I just went to my new last name. Too hard. Then I went back and made my maiden name my middle name. Now I use either all 3 depending on the situation (tribal, health insurance, voter registration, etc.)

After 14 years, I STILL have to remind myself when signing something, "I before E, except after C".

If I married younger, I could have practiced writing it on my Pee-Chee over and over during class.

Thanks Mrs. M!

I'd consider taking my spouse's name, but for practical reasons I won't. My name has 3 letters... hers has 11.