In Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, and North Dakota a man can take his wife name. Personally, I think people ought to just keep their own names when married, however, this is an opinion based on experience not on politics. If people do insist in changing their name then I don't see why they can't choose between the man's name or the woman's name. Also, for some reason I'm kind of surprised to see Georgia listed as a state where the man can take his wife's name. I'm not so surprised to see Hawaii, Massachusetts, or New York on such a list.

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I think we should just get unique numbers at birth. Names are way too common, making them sort of useless.

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If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

I actually work with a chap who took his wife's name upon marriage. His surname was Smith, so perhaps he was sick of it. I agree though that it's archaic that we need to change our names upon marriage. It's a throw back to the old "ownership" rights associated with marriage, whereby (for eg) Mary Floss married Joe Bloe, she became Mrs Joe Blow. I can recall the outcry when Hilary Clinton retained her maiden name.

Has anyone here ever had any problems with paperwork because your name was the same as the name of someone else? What about a problem because of numbers?

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If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

I've never had any such problems Slon, although I do share the same name (spelling and all) of the male lead of a very popular sitcom. It gives me a little buzz each year to find that I often get nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy. It makes me think that my old school buddy's must imagine that I'm some big Hollywood star now, LOL.

hate is what keeps a man alive number forty-one. lol that sounds like big brother, everyone gets a barcode and a number instead of a name. You do have a number, your social security btw.. if you want to be called by it.

Nobody is suggesting the removal of the name. The name can remain like any other commonly shared, but not universally shared, characteristic. Kind of like eye color, hair color, race, etc... Nobody uses them as the final word in identifying people, and neither should they use names like that. Not everyone has an SS#. Plus it is used in certain transactions that almost make the number sacred, or something you do not wish to give out. A number given to every person of every nation (or every compliant nation) would solve many problems that we have with names. It would not remove names, it would simply replace them as the main identifying characteristic. It would not be sacred and would be unique for everyone. A bar code is not a bad idea. It wouldn't be required, but optional.

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If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

Just got married a few months ago, and we had considered taking a third name rather than her or my last name. I wonder how much of a PITA that would have been.

It's sad that there's still so many archaic, sexist laws on the books.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

I'm old-fashioned so I'm very proud to carry my husband's last name!

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

That's what we ended up with. I've just always hated my last name. For me, it's just more of a question of why in the world should the government care if the husband takes the wife's name or vice-versa?

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

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Ive always thought it was traditional CHOICE. I never knew it was actually mandated a woman must take a mans last name and can never be reversed.

I would feel owned if I had no such option. Owned by the state. Do they own us that they can tell us, at this level, what we can/cannot do?

The question I have always asked is why is marriage recognized at all by the government. If it is religious, keep it religious. If it is not religious, then stop whining when homos want to get it. IMO if the gov't just disregarded it we would not have many of the shitty wedge issues we have today.

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If a neocon whines about big government wealth redistribution, just ask him what he thinks about the portion of that big government that sends aid to Israel.

My mom kept her last name...

I like the Spanish cultures where you tack on the mans name to yours.

Then your kids have the double name. Of course, they drop the mommy's if they're a girl and they get hitched...

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"Jesus said: I have cast fire upon the world, and behold I guard it until it is ablaze."
Gospel of Thomas

Absolutely. I'd love to see a differentiation between civil unions (yielding benefits recognized by the state) and marriage (a religious ceremony).

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears