A hyphenated last name is a combined last name of two spouses. Hyphenated last names may also be called a double surname or double-barrelled surname. For example, Sarah Smith marries Adam Jones. A hyphenated last name would be Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith.
In most states, you have the option to take your spouse's last name, hyphenate your last name, use two last names without a hyphen, or move your maiden name to your middle name and take your spouse's last name. We think it's important that you know all of the name change options before your big day.
A double-barrelled name is a type of compound surname, typically featuring two words (occasionally more), often joined by a hyphen. Examples of some notable people with double-barrelled names include Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Double-barrelling allows the couple to retain both surnames. Or, you may want to display your collective identity as a married couple through a double-barrelled surname. It's also become a popular option for civil partnerships and same-sex marriages.
Traditionally, the first surname is paternal and comes from the father, while the second surname is maternal and comes from the mother. In recent years, some countries have allowed parents to alter the order of surnames for their children, but in historical records paternal surnames generally precede maternal names.
British names are traditionally patrilineal, whereby children are given their father's family name. However, this is not an enforced custom. Some parents may choose to give their children a hyphenated surname that contains the family name of both the mother and father (e.g. Jack Samuel ADAMS-BROWN).
If your two last names do not have a hyphen between them, people may think it is one of your middle names. It is legal to have as many names as you want, as long as the name is registered as your legal name.
Does a double-barrelled surname have to be hyphenated? No. It's completely up to you if you choose to hyphenate it or not, there's no hard and fast rule. The positive of having it hyphenated, however, is that it will indicate more clearly to people that both of the names are your surname (and one isn't omitted).
It's all fine. It's not that unusual in the UK. Not everyone hyphenates doubled barrelled names here, although most do. Usually you'd put the longer name first as it generally flows better, but do whatever sounds best.
Hyphenated last names may also be called a double surname or double-barrelled surname. For example, Sarah Smith marries Adam Jones. A hyphenated last name would be Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith. It's your choice which name comes first.
Having multiple parts to your name is common practice in places including Portugal and Spain, where most people have two first names and two surnames (their mother's and father's family names).
The first double surnames in Russia and Eastern Europe were known and used in medieval times. Having a double surname was a privilege and an indication of a higher social class. The practice of adding a second surname arose because of the need to distinguish between members of the same family.
Continuing to Use Your Maiden Name
There is no legal requirement for you to change your maiden name (your surname before marriage) upon marriage. This option is becoming increasingly popular as more women are establishing reputations at work with their maiden names, and want to keep them to avoid confusion.
Name blending, meshing, or melding is the practice of combining two existing names to form a new name. An example is the combination of the surnames Dresser and McLoughlin to form the new surname of game designer Clay Dreslough. It is most commonly performed upon marriage.
Addressing a Couple
NOTE: Traditionally, a woman's name preceded a man's on an envelope address, and his first and surname were not separated (Jane and John Kelly). Nowadays, the order of the names—whether his name or hers comes first—does not matter and either way is acceptable.
Option 2: Hyphenate your name with your spouse's
Most popular in the 1970s, hyphenation allows you to keep your maiden name while still adding your spouse's. It also makes it easy for colleagues, clients, and friends to follow you and your work post-marriage.
RULE 3. –
Hyphenated names are considered one unit. Ignore the hyphen and alphabetize considering the first part of the hyphenated name. Ignore ampersands (&) joining two or more proper names. File considering the first name.
However it sometimes happens, especially in the case of persons born outside marriage, that the surnames of the parents, in any order, are used (hyphenated or not) to provide a double-barrelled surname. English law places no restrictions as to what surname may be registered for a child in the UK.
When you marry you are free to keep your name or take your husband's name but one thing is clear—it's absolutely your choice in most states and countries around the world. In fact, it's becoming much more popular for a recently married woman to keep her last name.
Having two legal last names allows your child to have both surnames but use them interchangeably. He/She will need to sign all legal documents with both names, but they can introduce him/herself with one last name, thus forgoing the mouthful that hyphenated last names can create.
But the way we use middle names today originated in the Middle Ages when Europeans couldn't decide between giving their child a family name or the name of a saint. They eventually settled on naming their children with the given name first, baptismal name second, and surname third.
Like your first name, you can only have one last name, unless it is hyphenated (a double barrel surname). But unlike your first name, you don't actually have to have a last name.