“Mrs. His Name”: Women's Preferences For Married Names

Abstract

Psychologists have long acknowledged the link between names and identity, but little research has studied women's choices about their married names. This study examines the descriptive characteristics of women who plan different choices and women's reasoning behind their choices in a sample of undergraduate women. Women who wish to keep or hyphenate their names have more feminist attitudes, score higher on instrumentality/agency, and are more likely to be immigrants and/or women of color. Content coding of open-ended responses on reasons for name choices showed those who want their husbands' names for themselves and their children most often cited tradition, a denial that names were linked with identity, and union within marriage. Women who want to keep or hyphenate their names mentioned the link between names and identity, professional reasons, and also union within marriage. The two groups often used similar language to explain different choices.