Can I have two last names?

It is extremely confusing for legal purposes to use two last names interchangeably. I recommend that you either legally change your name to either your married last name or a hyphenated last name. You can also move your maiden last name to your middle name and make your married last name your last name legally.

Similarly, what is it called when you have two last names?

In the Western tradition of surnames, there are several types of double surname (or double-barrelled surname). If the two names are joined with a hyphen, it may also be called a hyphenated surname. These names are combined without hyphen (but optionally combined using y "and").

Beside above, can a person have 2 names? No. A person cannot have two names legally. Name is an identity in society as well as in documents.

Furthermore, can I have two last names without a hyphen?

Two last names without the hyphen. You'll still need to sign all paperwork with both last names since it's considered your legal last name. Each state has different laws about what is considered a marriage name change so you may need to go through a court-ordered name change to have two last names without a hyphen.

What last name goes first mom or dad?

The child's first surname is the father's first surname, and the child's second surname is the mother's first surname. For example, Diego Álvarez Bravo has a child with Jazmin Alarcón Bustamante. Their children will have the surnames Álvarez Alarcón.

25 Related Question Answers Found

Can you put two last names on a birth certificate?

Unmarried couples typically have two different last names. The child may carry the mother's surname, father's surname or a hyphenated surname. The name the couple chooses then appears on the newborn's birth certificate. An alleged father's denial of paternity does not ensure the child will not carry his last name.

How many names can you legally have?

There is no legal limit on the length of your name, but we impose a limit of 300 characters (including spaces) for your full name. If you want a name longer than this please contact us for advice.

What last name comes first?

A child's first surname will usually be their father's first surname, while the child's second surname will usually be the mother's first surname. For example, if José García Torres and María Acosta Gómez had a child named Pablo, then his full name would be Pablo García Acosta.

How common is your last name?

name	rank	People Per 100,000 population
name SMITH	rank 1	People Per 100,000 population 828.19
name JOHNSON	rank 2	People Per 100,000 population 655.24
name WILLIAMS	rank 3	People Per 100,000 population 550.97
name BROWN	rank 4	People Per 100,000 population 487.16

Why do we have 3 names?

The three-name structure used today began in the Middle Ages when Europeans were torn between giving their child a saint's name or a common family name. The practice of giving three names eventually resolved the problem with a formula: given name first, baptismal name second, surname third.

What does it take to change your last name?

In most states, you have to pay a fee (usually $150 to $200) to file your name change petition in court. It also costs a small amount of money to get forms notarized. And if you're getting married, you may want to pay for additional certified copies of your marriage certificate to use as proof of your new last name.

When you have a hyphenated last name?

Or, more specifically, if you hyphenate two last names, which one is your legal name postwedding? The answers are yes and both, so long as you've undergone the legal name change process using the hyphenated surname—more on that below.

Can you combine last names?

More and more couples are combining last names to form a unique last name. In most states, you have the option to take your spouse's last name, hyphenate your last names, use two last names without a hyphen, or move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse's last name.

Can a guy have a maiden name?

Maiden name for men

This 1995 piece from the New York Times says men can have a maiden name and that it's a totally gender-neutral term: Like most every other man have a first name and a last name. The word "maiden" shows up in the thesaurus as "earliest," "first," "original." So, yes, Howe is my maiden name.

Why do guys have hyphenated last names?

The hyphenated last name for men is just an extension of the fem-nazi movement (as the OP thought). It just means they are gaining ground.

Is there a time limit to change your last name after marriage?

There is no time limit on changing your name. Many states would like you to inform them of your name change within 30 days of your marriage, but will allow you to change your name after that.

Is maiden name last name?

The definition of a maiden name is the surname or birth name a woman has before she marries and takes her husband's last name. An example of maiden name is Jones for a woman who was named Sarah Jones before she married and became Sarah Stein.

What is a previous name?

Former name refers to any surname (last name) you may have used in the past for any reason. It can also mean any first and last name you may have used in the past. The three most common situations I can think of are these. Last name is Smith. Former name is Jones, your surname before you got married.

Is your married name your legal name?

If you are married, your current legal name includes your married name. After marriage, you can begin using your new name immediately. In an opposite-sex marriage, the woman may keep her maiden name, beginning using her husband's family name or hyphenate her name with her husband's name.

What determines your legal name?

The “legal name” of an individual usually consists of a given name, usually assumed at birth and a surname deriving from the common name of your parents unless you become married when you may choose to use your spouse's surname.

Can I change your name?

Not in most states, but it's helpful. Most states allow you to legally change your name simply through usage. You can choose a name and just start using it in social settings and in your business. This can be a completely legal name change.

Can you use your middle name as your first name?

In day-to-day life, you can use your middle name instead of your first name if that's what you prefer. However, to use only your middle name on legal documents, a court has to officially grant a change of name.