Two last names??

Littlewing997

Hi everyone. I'm TTC, and can't stop thinking about baby names. I have first names pretty much picked out, but I'm not sure how to work the last name situation... I'm married, but I kept my maiden name. I want my children to identify with both of our families, but our last names together are super weird--Byrge and Widener.

What do you all think about hyphenated last names? Or maybe using my maiden name as a middle name? Any suggestions would be welcome.

ecwk

I kept my maiden name too but we won't be hyphenating. I think it can be too much of a mouthful and it's nms. My mom also kept her maiden name so we have different last names and it has never ever ever been an issue. But if it is really important to you you could double-barrel it or use yours as a middle name. That's actually a tradition in my MILs family.

kerismatic

Lots of people have hyphenated last names so I don't see it as being a big deal.  My aunt hyphenated her last name when she married and used her maiden name as a mn for all three of her children (2 girls, 1 boy), giving them only the one last name.  I think either option is fine (sorry if that doesn't help much).

4N6s

I think having your maiden name as the middle name is a great idea.

kayway85

I'm personally for hyphenated names, but my husband and I disagreed on this point since we both have fairly lengthy last names. ( I kept my maiden name and added his, so I have two last names) but for our kids, we made a deal - they would have his last name and I would get to choose their first and middle names. His input, of course, is always respected, but at the end of the day, I wanted my children's names to represent my family and culture as well, so I got the final say. So far it's worked out really well!

xxdove

I'm all for hyphenating but I would pick a shorter first name to balance it out.

MamaWren919

I would use your maiden name as a middle name. Hyphenated last names are a mouthful and troublesome, when it comes to paperwork. Most of the kids I've known (I'm a teacher) with hyphenated last names end up being called by just one name anyway (their preference, not my doing).