While the overwhelming majority of American women take their spouse’s last name upon marriage, most female celebrities do not. This is mostly for professional reasons because a name change could potentially hurt someone’s career after they’ve already established themselves in the entertainment industry.
I understand both sides of the argument for whether or not a woman should take her spouse’s last name. On one hand, it’s traditional and a sign of respect for your spouse. On the other hand, it’s a free country and if a woman wants to keep her last name, then she has every right to do so. Here are 10 celebrity women who took the more traditional route and changed their last names:
Jessica Timberlake
Jessica Biel will now be known as Jessica Timberlake after her marriage to Justin Timberlake. “I think I really won the jackpot of names,” she said. “It’s hard to find that one person in the world. Once you find that person, go for it. That kind of commitment is very special.”
Victoria Beckham
Check out the gallery below to see more female celebrities who took their spouse’s last name!
Do you think a woman should take her spouse’s last name or keep her own? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below!
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guest
I was proud to take my husband’s last name
dahlia / 2382 posts
It’s personal. I kept mine because it’s my name, my identity like Lucy Stone said. It’s the 21st century, why should we be called by our husband’s names? It’s nothing against them.
It only seems to be an issue here. Your name doesn’t change at marriage, you have to legally change it. Other countries adopted laws so women can keep their names & others never changed them to begin with. Name equality is about whatever name choice you want & I chose to keep mine.
guest
I’m not sure what I’ll do.
sunflower / 300 posts
Keeping my last name. My last name is great.
guest
My future spouse would have to have a fantastic last name in order for me to change mine to theirs, I love my last name too much. It’s who I am!
guest
I don’t really care about “passing on my name” or anything. I wouldn’t encourage a wife to change hers.
cherry blossom / 28 posts
I don’t see what’s the issue here. If the wife wants to change it or keep it, then go ahead. I had a friend change it, but only because she hated her last name. Good for her then.
guest
I’d merge the two names
guest
I don’t plan to ever get married, but if I did I would definitely keep my last name. My parents are amazing parents and I’m proud and thankful to be a part of their family. No offense to any guy I might possibly (not likely) ever get married to, but I just feel it’s…right to keep my last name. Well, that wasn’t the word I was looking for, but hopefully you get the picture. I’m proud of where I came from.
guest
She should do what she wants.
daisy / 603 posts
I think the female should do whatever she wants to do. In the case of celebrities though, it seems like if she is already well known it’s probably not an issue. For example, everyone will automatically look at a picture of Jessica (Timberlake) and automatically think Biel. Growing up watching 7th Heaven, I’ll always associate that name with her, but in her personal life, she should be able to take her husband’s last name.
I hate the idea of merging last names, who wants a 30 letter last name? & I don’t have any attachment to my last name, so I’ll be more than happy to change mine.
guest
I don’t care if my future wife doesn’t want to take my last name. The only thing I’m not doing is hyphenating it and screwing both names up in the process. There is no scenario in which my last name sounds good merged with another name.
guest
And….this is great why?
guest
I’m probably gonna keep my name but my children can have their fathers name. I am a ‘my last name’ through and through and I don’t ever want to lose it. It’s probably also because it’s my connection to my father who passed away when I was 14.
guest
My last name is always mispronounced and I always have to spell it out for people, but it’s my name. I’d rather keep my family name than take someone else’s. We’re in the 21st century now. It just doesn’t seem necessary to change the last name.