When deciding whether to change your last name, does anyone ask “what about your career?”

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Many friends are also grappling with the decision of whether to change their last names, but most lean towards keeping their last names. However, some family members assume that the person will change their last name and are shocked when they learn that the person plans to keep their last name. Family members raise concerns about the person's future children, but no one asks about the impact on their career. The speaker and Nicole both agree that there is no peer pressure, but rather familial pressure to consider the implications of having a different last name. The focus is on family and the meaning of having a different last name, rather than career considerations.

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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