No, they usually don't, except if you've just converted to Islam.

I'm expected to take on Nil's name and I'm still wondering how to go about that because I want to maintain my maiden name.

But the whole mix sounds weird. Bah.

Zona is a kewl name, as you can elongate the bottom horizontal of the Z to run under the 'ona' part of your name. So many creative things to do with a Z. :-)

What do you mean we don't have forms with middle name? All the forms I've fille din have middle names and stuff. Often the form says 'Given Name/s' with the '/' in there, which allows you to put in the space between names. I've never seen a form without an option to put in the middle name part of a persons name.

In Australia you don't need to fill in pforms to change your name, you just need to start using it on everything and make sure that it is what you're known as. So if you want to be called 'Andrea Tan-Sheppard' then you just have to tell everyone to call you Andrea, and then change your Bank Account, Drivers License etc to use that name.
Other way is to pay about $70 and do it via a 'Deed Poll'.

Legally though, your name SHOULD be consistent on everything.

Even better! Now you can go into Latin American soaps!

Not to worry. You'll take your name all the way if you can score with some killer articles, or maybe a book.

Myself? I'm contented with mine, because it's so-o-o-o common.

why the need to change name?

did i say need? =P

Mei,

Not necessarily. My cousin in law married my cousin who's a Muslim and she still goes by her given name. Apparently, it wasn't necessary for her to change names. =)

Dee, oh...me had no idea. My cousins and friends all changed their names. :S

ok...re-word it

why the need/want/necessity/etc etc to change the name?

Aunty,

There is no need to change name. But I believe the idea came about more in the manner of tribes or clans in centuries past. When people wanted to be identified more they started using surnames, which developed in to clan names and the whole idea was that to prevent issues within them, women would move on to another clan to start a new generation and would hence take on the clan name.

It's Zona's choice as to what she would like to do. Personally I would like her to take my surname as such, but to me and living in western society its more about that identification thing. It's harder to explain to someone who your wife is when they don't carry your surname. They assume you are in a defacto or unmarried status. Also when you have children, they take the father's surname. At least that is what is common here.

I am sure there are different views on this depending on culture and tradition. But there's no rush in name changes.

I've thought about changing my name instead. But I already have a chai-knees first name and adding Tan to the formula would just confucius the matter. When I taught martial arts I had a large class of chai-knees come to the first lesson knowing that their teacher's name was Lee. The assumption was the teacher was of their heritage, little did they know the tall white guy at the front in uniform would be their master.

Mind you I feel that Tan is faster and easier to spell than Sheppard. And Tan is harder to get wrong with spelling. I get all the dumbarses spelling my name as if i am a sheep herder (Shepherd). It's Scottish surname BTW.

End of sermon..

ROTFL... That would definitely be in the concept of ur mum wanting short names.

Lee Tan - 6ft2in white guy
Zona Marie Sheppard - Asian girl

talk abt confusing ppl...

oh....

by the way....its MR.Aunty to you also

i asked that question because in my opinion...the name change is to signify that the couple belongs to the same family......BUT also in my opinion, that to be married to each other......both partners in the marriage has become family....name change or no name change......

while typing this....suddenly i have this question...while traditionally...in a more conventional marriage...the lady would take the husband's family name....but in modern society....the reverse also occurs.....but what abt in same-sex marriages?

Well, in France, every woman takes on her hubby's name when they wed. T.T

In Malaysia, name changing because of marriage isn't a norm. Especially because we have so many cultures with their own respective customs.

The Chinese Malaysian women who marry, don't change their names. But the children automatically take on the father's surname. It's understood without the mother having to go thru a legal change. She is of course addressed as Mrs (husband's surname). Or if legally changed, with a "nee" attached.

The Malays don't name change. Because they apply the Arabic name form change, following the father. Similarly, the Indian Malaysians do the same.

These are just in general terms. A lot of those who don't follow their ancestral customs these days, because they've embraced Christianity for example, chose to follow Western influences. Or just claim ignorance, and do what they prefer. Most of the time, it is a socially known name as a married person. But there are no legal changes.

For myself, it's even more different because of my Filipino heritage. They follow the Spanish by adopting their mother's maiden names as middle names. Then drop it when they marry. Hence --
First name / Mother's maiden name / Father's surname
will become
First name / Father's surname / Husband's surname

It's just a compromise the couple has to decide on lor... There's no need to change (not for me, at least). Just what we want to do about it.

i'm expected to take on ted's family name too - in fact, MIL's been asking me abt it lots. i'd love to keep both names and ted's cool with it but when i write it out - aiyo, so long!!! plus, i was thinking that having so many names ie name in passport, name in visa, etc....if they dont match, it might be problematic la. so till now, i'm still using my maiden name

I am Malaysian and my husband is English. We live in England and because I still keep my maiden name Im still known as miss!!! On unofficial docs I do use his name. But since we dont usually change our name when we marry in Malaysia, i cant be even known as mrs until i renew my passport! And then will I be Mrs Alene Maiden Name or what? I didnt marry my father! Know what I mean?