Hi guys, I hope you're all doing well today! The topic of hyphenated last names has been festering in the back of my head for a long time, so I decided that today was just the best day to just get it off my chest. I hope none of you get offended, but if you do, I apologize in advance. This is a case against hyphenated last names and why they are most times, unnecessary, and sometimes, cause more problems than their worth.
Prime Example: Spy Kids
Most people who grew up watching Spy Kids in any capacity will always remember the scenes in which Carmen introduces herself as "Carmen Elizabeth Juanita Echo Sky Bravo Cortez" and all the hidden doors and secret safe houses reveal themselves to her and it's the coolest and funniest thing ever. However, due to the increasing popularity of hyphenated last names in this generation, we're not that far away from "Elizabeth Juanita Echo Sky Bravo Cortez" ourselves...which I will explain. The fact of the matter is, if you're not a secret agent and you're living in the world amongst normal people, there is little to no point in having more than three given names. Even Ms. Cortez herself is slightly annoyed when she has to state her full given name, saying that "it's too long" and "she never uses her full name".
How ironic that the actress now goes by, "Alexa Ellesse Pena Vega", since marrying "Carlos Roberto Pena Vega"
Even when it's hyphenated, a lot of people will call you by one or the other.
Listen, hyphenating your last name may not have the intended effect you were hoping for. I'm telling you now, that most people will just continue to call you by your maiden name, since you still have your maiden name, or your married name. Let's discuss Nicholas Jerry Jonas and Priyanka Mimi Chopra Jonas. Most of the general public and even her friends and family will and still refer to her as just Priyanka Chopra, since that is still her name, or Priyanka Jonas...since a lot of people will just automatically begin to refer to you using your husband's name after becoming newlyweds. This same concept applies to average people as well.
Priyanka changed her Instagram name to "Priyanka Chopra Jonas" and all of the tabloids still refer to her as just Priyanka Jonas, or Priyanka Chopra. The point is, most people will not be calling her Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
So, hyphenating your name was a bit pointless. It just makes the most sense to either take your husband's name, to just keep your name, or for your husband to take your name..however, good luck with that one. However, if you keep your name and he keeps his, you will basically spend your whole lifetime constantly having to explain to the world that you're married...in more ways than one.
What about the kids?!
This is where the "Elizabeth Juanita Echo Sky Bravo Cortez" part comes in. Let's say that Priyanka Mimi Chopra Jonas and Nicholas Jerry Jonas have a child together. Let's say that they decide the child should have both of their names, which isn't such a far-fetched possibility. They will more than likely give the child a middle name as well, since both of them have a middle name and believe in the concept of middle names. Now, let's say they have a baby girl..Alexandria Teresa Chopra Jonas.
Okay, let's say that Alexandria Teresa Chopra Jonas gets married! Alexandria then decides to marry someone who just so happens to have a hyphenated last name as well...WHAT A JOY! Alexandria Teresa Chopra Jonas marries Joseph Mario Henderson Letterman and becomes Alexandria Teresa Chopra Jonas Henderson Letterman! YAY!!!
Come on now, it's just too much.
The hesitation when changing your name in any capacity
I have looked up some of the reasons as to why people choose to keep their maiden name, hyphenate their name and take their spouse's name. A common reason I have found is that a lot of people associate their name with who they are and are sacrificing a crucial part of their identity. Some feel as though it's unfair because men aren't expected to change their name, which I feel as though is a childish argument that only masks your true feelings: you don't want to let go of your sense of "self". The fact of the matter is, changing your name does not change who you are as a person. You won't be remembered in this world because of your "name", but because of what you did. Zoe Saldana said it best, "Your legacy will not perish if your take you take partner's surname, if he takes yours, or if you take each others".
Hope you guys like this!
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