8 out of 10 women change their name after marriage—they might not realize the impact it has on their careers, work relationships, and job prospects

What's in a name?

Initially, it's a careless scrawl on the cover of a schoolbook, or a call-out in the classroom roll. Later in life, it's proudly showcased on a resume, printed on a driver's license, and, if you're fortunate, even signed on the deed to a house.

Some individuals might change this name without a full understanding of its potential effects—either positive or negative.

This phenomenon has been evident for nearly two decades, with minimal fluctuations. However, a notable exception can be observed among younger individuals, those aged 18-49, who are twice as likely as their counterparts aged 50-plus to retain their birth surname.

It's worth noting that 73% of women under 50 opt to keep their partner's last name after marriage.

Those who continuously use their name for personal gain often decide to step back for a while.

In the end, "their name is part of their business."

**The Hidden Expenses of Renaming Yourself**
Renaming yourself may seem simple enough, but there are several factors to consider that can make a huge difference in the bottom line.
**1.** "When you change your name, you must submit a change of name form to SSA - Social Security Administration either in person, by mail, or online. If you need a replacement card, there is a $11 flat fee."
**2.** "Although most states allow you to change your driver's license or state ID online, the pricing and availability vary by state. In some places, the ID will be ready immediately, while others require an in-person visit, resulting in a higher fee. Some states may even require an additional document, like a birth certificate."
**3.** "Update your voter registration, only takes a few minutes and there is no cost when done online."

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Women in academia often face an obstacle when trying to assemble their work: combining it under their maiden and married names. If they don't, they could jeopardize obtaining crucial funding or promotions. Similarly, professionals who've earned certifications or licenses under a former name must quickly update their records to keep working, and individuals with a significant online presence may stumble in maintaining their personal brand.

Awards and recognition from previous years may not be immediately available, and building new credibility can take time.

There are also some important benefits to changing your surname. It could give you an edge in job applications or hiring, by circumventing biases in the system based on things like racial or age background, or it could add an extra layer of protection to your personal life, providing more privacy.

For people looking to start over, whether it's for personal reasons or a change in career path, a name change can serve as a digital reboot. This can also create a fresh chance to establish strong relationships with coworkers and clients.

After all, one of the main reasons people want to change their name is that it brings them a sense of personal satisfaction and happiness.

What was discussed made one thing profoundly clear: While there is no definitive right or wrong choice, it's highly recommended to make an informed decision.

The Impact of Renaming Behavior on Women in the Workplace
Changing one's name, either due to personal preference, marriage, or identity transformation, can have a significant impact on a woman's life and career.
"We don't really talk about it," said Catherine Carvell, a researcher at New York City-based Horizons Work. "But when we do, we know that changing your name can be a really complex experience, tied up with identity, culture, and history."
Some employers may raise concern about the paperwork and administrative hurdles of updating an employee's name. They express fear of lost productivity and a temporary distraction from work tasks.
Others argue that this transition is not insignificant and can signal deeper concerns about equality in the workplace.

Dr. Bala Chaudhary had never really thought about her name in a professional context - aside from the added credibility that came with it - until she overheard a male colleague expressing frustration that a fellow scientist had changed their last name after getting married.

Chaudhary, a researcher at Dartmouth University's environmental studies department, had a mentor who was a renowned scientist, described as a "giant in the field," a woman. During a visit to a different lab, Chaudhary overheard a male colleague express frustration that this prominent scientist's papers listed both her married and maiden names, causing complexity when tracking her work.

It was surprising to hear a renowned, highly respected scientist receive negative criticism due just to her name. And because this name change is so common, it was like thinking: 'Among all the challenges women in science face, this one seems like the most petty.'

Chaudhary's experience—that there's a lot of pressure not to change one's surname after marriage—is in line with research findings from Pew Research. According to the research, the more education a woman has, the less likely she is to change her name. The data shows that nearly nine in ten (83%) women with a college degree or less and nearly eight in ten (79%) women with a bachelor's degree change their names after marriage. However, at the postgraduate level, the percentage drops to 68%.

I'd like to discuss the following: she changed her last name after marriage, because she did not want to have that reflection on her children.

Changing one's surname can signal a significant change in an individual's personal life, potentially prompting listeners to make assumptions, and women may be particularly eager to avoid such conversations.

A widespread assumption is that after getting married, many couples plan to start a family. And it appears that numbers back this idea up, leading to a noticeable trend regarding women's careers.

A study by Gladys M. Martinez, PhD, and Kimberly Daniels, PhD, discovered that over half (53%) of births from 2015 to 2019 took place among married women, with another quarter (approximately 25%) occurring in relationships where the couple was living together. The same research found that nearly one-fifth (20%) of married women welcomed their second child within 24 months of their first child's birth.

Some people make assumptions about a woman's career prospects based on her marital status and the possibility of her having children.

According to Chaudhary, this phenomenon is evident in everyday life. For instance, she mentions that many professional women colleagues, her renowned scientist mentors, are cautious about sharing personal information because they worry how it might affect their professional reputation.

Updating identification documents such as your driver's license and passport.

When helping thousands of newlyweds, Bradicich of MissNowMrs.com has noticed a trend: The complexity of a woman's career often determines how challenging her name change will be.

After seeing a friend deal with the overwhelming process of officially changing her name after marriage, Farnoosh Bradicich created MissNowMrs.com in 2006. Almost two decades later, Bradicich and his team have assisted over 400,000 women with similar name change difficulties, identifying a common trend.

For someone just starting out, whether in college or early in their career, it's mostly about navigating government paperwork," he said. "It's about getting through those tasks efficiently and in the right sequence, which is largely a matter of process and procedure.

As he pointed out, "Transitioning into the professional world introduces a multitude of variables./new endeavors require updating your payroll information, which then triggers a chain reaction of changes in company emails and professional certifications or licensing. Failing to keep all of these details consistent can lead to potential issues. A person's depth of career involvement is a critical consideration."

The experience of a changed reputation has a significant impact, making people more aware of what it means to have a different name, but, as Bradicich pointed out, people often still make mistakes.

"I believe that when you step back from the situation, many people tend to think about it superficially without taking the time to really understand the issues at hand.

People often overlook the challenges they'll face while traveling. Specifically, they often don't think about the time required to obtain necessary travel documents, such as passports and driver's licenses, which can lead to discrepancies and a lot of inconvenience.

What are the benefits of changing your last name? It can feel like a new beginning.

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White, who has given guest lectures at leading institutions in his home country, including Trinity College and Dublin City University, is seeing individuals growingly use his name for strategic purposes.

He pointed out that in today's digital world, people's activities and accomplishments can be seen by others. By the time someone has reached a high level in their career, they often have a long digital record. This can provide them with a way to essentially give their online presence a "clean slate".

It's also a valuable resource for individuals who want a bit more discretion online. Just ask teachers trying to conceal their social media profiles from the inquiring eyes of students.

An analysis of 30 million records revealed that students with surnames towards the latter half of the alphabet (K-Z) received lower grades when graded alphabetically, rather than randomly.

It was found that students with initials starting from A to E generally achieved better grades than those in a random sample. That bias reportedly has a "prominent long-term effect on a student’s career," and a new obstacle has now been discovered in recruitment systems.

Research conducted by King's College London, which examined over 12,000 job applications, indicates that international discrimination persists. The study found that job applicants with English names garnered roughly 27% of favorable responses for leadership positions. In contrast, those with non-English names received a significantly lower percentage of positive responses at approximately 11.3%.

While a change to overcome bias in hiring processes is a significant shortcoming, White has seen other strategic moves where his expertise shines. He finds that mentoring others in his craft and choosing a professional persona distinct from their given name - "almost like a stage name" - can be highly beneficial.

A significant aspect of coaching involves being proactive, but people often struggle with taking the first step as it means putting themselves out there on platforms they're already familiar with, to people they already know. The default excuse is to change their name, which acts as a form of liberation, especially for those already established in their profession who create a new online persona to distance themselves from their past.

Considering taking on a new surname after getting married can be a significant decision.

Ultimately, what matters most in a name change is whether the person involved wants to take that step.

People often change their names for numerous reasons, but White suggests the simplest way to avoid confusion in a workplace situation is to clearly explain the change to colleagues and the public.

You could introduce the change with something as straightforward as a social media "reintroduction" post, or make a mention of the change in an email signature, keeping people informed that your display name might be changing soon.

He stated: "People interact with people, not scripted personas. They're turned off by superficial professionalism and rehearsed lines. They believe that authenticity has a deeper resonance than anything else, so if someone can be genuine and vulnerable, especially in a challenging context like business, it will ultimately draw people in."

It really comes down to personal preference," Bradicich said, "But it's a decision that is best made after consulting with those closest to you, like family, your partner, or close friends.

The needle is shifting in a significant way, said Chaudhary, noting a discussion that has been overdue.

The ultimate goal is to have total control over one's reproductive choices, and the freedom to change those choices whenever needed," said the academic. "When I was a student, the message was, 'Make a decision now and stick to it.' But in reality, there should be flexibility.

Women are currently coming together in formal and informal settings to discuss issues, including the challenges they face with name changes. There are several women-only Slack groups for scientists where this matter is frequently discussed, with conversations often carried out discreetly through the "whisper network".

She emphasized that conversations about women in science are already underway. The next priority is to incorporate these conversations into formal training programs for mentors, and to ensure that they become part of regular discussions at lab meetings, faculty gatherings, and search committee meetings.

June 22, 2024.

This story was originally published in

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