Women who are planning to earn a doctoral level degree, did you change your last name?
I got married a couple weeks ago, but I never decided whether or not to change my name (and if so, to what). I’ve been thinking about this since we got engaged. I’m having a really hard time deciding, so I’d love other experiences and ideas!
- I’m applying to medical school, so I hope to be Dr. xxx. I’d like to be Dr. mylastname, but I think I’d run into licensing issues if I took my husbands last name. I’m not 100% attached to this though.
- I was initially thinking about adding his last name in front of mine, but I’d been thinking more recently about completely getting rid of mine or moving it with my middle name.
- His last name is long and mine is short. His last name also has a cultural significance, and is hard to pronounce.
- I really like the idea of having the same last name for family unity if we have kids and even for the two of us. We’ve always felt like our own little team, and I feel like sharing a name would make that even more tangible.
- We ran into some big issues with his parents the day before our wedding that make me feel like I’m not accepted. I don’t know if having their name is something I’m 100% happy with.
- I’m the last person in my tiny family with my last name. My mom gave me her middle and last name, so I’d probably keep my middle name going if we have kids.
- I don’t think I want to socially go by a name that’s not my legal name, but I’m not 100% on that either.
Any advice or other peoples experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Edit: does anyone happen to know if I add his last name before mine if going by just my maiden name professionally would cause issues with licensing?
It would legally be hislastname mylastname, but go by Dr. mylastname.
u/APanicChicken — 6 hours ago