Women at Work

Should I Change My Last Name?

Nov 6, 2023

In this podcast, the hosts delve into the decision-making process behind changing last names after marriage. They discuss personal reflections, experiences, and challenges related to keeping or changing last names, as well as the impact on personal branding and career. They also explore the cultural implications in Japan and share insights on societal expectations and individual choices.

46:53

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Quick takeaways

The decision to change or keep one's last name after marriage is influenced by factors like career aspirations, professional identity, and family influence.

The decision to change or keep one's last name can have implications for personal branding, highlighting the importance of managing one's personal brand and considering how a name change can influence others' perceptions.

Deep dives

The Decision to Change or Keep Your Last Name

The podcast episode delves into the decision-making process for women on whether to change their last names after marriage. Pew Research Center findings reveal that 79% of women in opposite-sex marriages take their spouses' last names, while 21% keep their own names or hyphenate. Factors like career aspirations, professional identity, and family influence play a role in the decision-making process. The conversation also touches on the implications of changing one's last name, such as potential biases in the workplace and how it may impact personal branding. The episode emphasizes the importance of respecting individual choices and shedding light on the complexities surrounding this decision.

Introduction

2min

Women Changing Last Names

14min

Exploring the Decision to Change Last Names in Japanese Culture

3min

Changing Last Names: Personal Reflections and Challenges

13min

Exploring the Question of Women Changing Their Last Names

2min

Changing Last Names and the Influence on Personal Branding

2min

The Significance of Last Names and Personal Branding

12min

Personal Perspectives and Respecting Choices

2min

If you’re engaged, this question is probably going to come up. Have you ever thought about what you would do (if you have plans to marry), or reflected on the decision you made (if you’re already married)? To what extent did your professional accomplishments and aspirations factor into your decision to keep or change your last name?

Our associate producer, Hannah Bates, is engaged, and she talks out the rationale behind her decision to keep her name with three recently married women (one who kept her name and two who changed theirs), and they share what the decision-making process was like for them. Hannah and the Amys then join former co-host Nicole Torres, who first raised this question on our show and encouraged us to do this episode in the first place.

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