What’s in a name?
It all starts with a shaky signature in a school notebook or being proclaimed at a school assembly. Over time, it becomes a notable feature on a resume, printed on a driver’s license, and potentially a definitive mark on a home ownership document.
Some people may change this nickname without fully understanding the potential consequences of their choice, which could lead to either positive or negative outcomes.
Last year was the culmination of a decades-long trend showing little variation. However, younger generations, which include those between 18 and 49 years old, were considerably more likely as their older counterparts, those over 50, to retain their birth surname.
Noting this, a significant majority, approximately 73%, of females under the age of 50 elected to adopt their partner’s surname.
Those who seek to profit off of their fame often take a break.
Ultimately, “their name is an integral part of their profession.”
**The Hidden Expenses of Renaming Yourself**
Changing your name can be a significant life event, but many people don’t think about the unexpected costs involved. While updating your name on official documents can be straightforward, there are many other aspects to consider.
**What’s Involved**
When you change your name, you need to update it in multiple areas, including:
1. **Credit reports**: Your credit reports will show your new name, but you’ll need to order new reports to ensure accuracy.
2. **Employer and HR records**: Notify your employer and HR department to update your personnel file and any benefits associated with your employment.
3. **Social Security Administration**: Update your Social Security number record to reflect your new name.
4. **Insurance and accounts**: Update your insurance policies, bank accounts, and other financial records to reflect your new name.
5. **Driver’s license and state ID**: You’ll need to obtain a new driver’s license or state ID with your new name.
6. **Voter registration**: Update your voter registration to reflect your new name.
7. **Marriage and divorce documents**: If applicable, update marriage or divorce documents to reflect your new name.
**Other Expenses to Consider**
Beyond the administrative tasks, there may be additional costs associated with changing your name, including:
* **Renaming your car title**: If you own a car, you may need to rename the title to match your new name.
* **Replacing home and mortgage documents**: Update your homeowner’s insurance and mortgage documents to reflect your new name.
* **Changing online profiles and accounts**: Update any online profiles, social media, and online accounts to reflect your new name.
**Additional Complications**
Changing your name can have unintended consequences, including:
* **Identity complications**: If not handled correctly, changing your name can lead to identity theft or other complications.
* **Professional and social impacts**: Changing your name may affect your professional and social connections, which can be challenging to navigate.
It’s essential to approach the process of changing your name with caution and careful planning to avoid unnecessary complications. Consult with the relevant authorities, professionals, and experts to ensure a smooth transition.
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Academic women face the challenge of keeping their work up-to-date and easily accessible after changing their name – the risk of losing funding, opportunities, or promotions as a result is clear. Professionals with certifications or licenses are also in a tight spot, as they must act quickly to update relevant documents and preserve their right to continue practicing in their profession. Those with a professional online presence risk damaging their brand and reputation if they can’t keep their digital footprint in order.
Recognition by that page or email could require some time to recover.
Changing one’s surname can also have a number of positive effects. For instance, it can allow you to surpass biases in hiring or application processes related to race, age, or gender, or add an extra layer of discretion to your personal life.
Getting a fresh start, whether personally or professionally, can be a great opportunity to change one’s name, effectively rebooting one’s digital presence. This can also be a chance to establish a stronger connection with colleagues and customers.
Of course, one of the main reasons someone might want to change their name is that it genuinely brings them a sense of happiness.
It was stated quite explicitly: The decision hinges on individual preference, not on a universally correct or incorrect choice. Having information is advisable nonetheless.
The Impact of Altering Your Name in a Professional Setting
Research has shown that changing one’s name can influence perceptions and interactions in the workplace. When women take their husbands’ surnames upon marriage, it can lead to various implications.
As ‘Jane Smith’ or ‘Katherine Johnson,’ under or over 30% of working women decide to adopt their spouse’s surname, approximately 8 to 12 months after getting married. This choice often stems from social norms, personal preference, or a mix of both.
In the workplace, having a new surname can create adjustments and rebranding. Notably, standard company policies, computer systems, and even standardized forms may need updating.
There may be identity confusion for coworkers, colleagues, and family members who address the individual. Communication errors, phone calls, and email handling can get complicated. Other employees may mix up the new surname with existing ones with similar names.
For some, taking a new surname can indicate a life change. It might highlight enhanced marital status or signifying commitment and partnership. In contrast, others find it a symbol of loss of their original identity or autonomy.
Bala Chaudhary didn’t often think about her name in a work-related context – apart from when she could include “Dr.” at the beginning, that is – until she overheard a male colleague complaining about a female scientist who changed her last name after getting married.
Chaudhary, a Dartmouth University environmental studies department employee, had a female mentor who was an authority in her field. While visiting a different research lab, Chaudhary overheard a male colleague expressing frustration that this mentor’s papers were attributed both under her married and maiden name, making it harder to verify her contributions.
It was surprising to hear a renowned scientist, known for her intelligence, being spoken about negatively because of her name change. And what’s more, the name change she underwent happens to be the most common occurrence, leaving me thinking: ‘Among all the challenges women in science have to face, this seems like the most inconsequential one.’
Chaudhary’s observation that there is a lot of pressure to maintain one’s surname upon marriage mirrors a finding from Pew Research. According to their discovery, the more education a woman has, the less likely she is to change her name. Specifically, 83% of women with a college degree or less took on their spouse’s surname, followed by 79% with a bachelor’s degree, and only 68% at the postgraduate-degree level.
I plan to keep my last name the same as my partner’s after we get married because that’s traditionally been my preferences and also to simplify how I appear to friends and acquaintances.
If we do have children, we’ve considered the option of keeping my partner’s last name, having them have my last name, or using both. There are pros and cons to each option, so we’re weighing them.
Pros for keeping my partner’s last name, for the kids: delaying the choice until they’re older, avoiding the temporary change until they feel more certain. Let me think this through a bit more.
Changing one’s surname can signal a significant change in personal life, potentially leading to a series of unwelcome assumptions. The individual may want to avoid entering this kind of conversation.
Many couples assume that after marriage, they’ll want to start a family, a scenario that, according to data, often unfolds, triggering a domino effect impacting a woman’s career.
According to recent research, it was discovered that over half of all births in the US from 2015 to 2019 happened to women who were married, with another quarter of births occurring to women who lived with their partners but were not married. The studies by Gladys M. Martinez, PhD, and Kimberly Daniels, PhD, also found that about 20% of married women had their second child within two years of their first child being born.
Some women may choose not to have children, but there’s still the concern that others might misjudge their career prospects if they’re married or perceived as future mothers.
This data becomes apparent in everyday life, Chaudhary noted, as women even consider the consequences of sharing personal information: “I have many accomplished female scientist role models who never talked about their personal lives, ever, worried it could impact how they’d be professionally viewed.”
Updating Personal Identification Documents
You can update your driver’s license, passport, and other important documents at a designated office or online. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Check the eligibility requirements for each type of document.
2. Gather the necessary supporting documents.
3. Fill out the application form carefully, making sure to complete all fields.
4. Submit your application and supporting documents.
5. Pay the required fees.
6. Wait for the issuance of your updated document.
You can update your documents:
– Driver’s license: In-person at a DMV office or online through the state’s website
– Passport: In-person at a passport acceptance facility or online
– Social Security number change: In-person at a Social Security Administration office
You should:
* Make a copy of your updated document and store it securely.
* Verify the information on your record with the issuing authority.
* Ensure the updated document is valid for the intended use.
From working with numerous brides, Bradicich, the founder of MissNowMrs.com, has found that a woman’s career experience plays a significant role in the complexity of the name change process.
Bradicich created MissNowMrs.com in 2006 after witnessing a friend’s frustration with the numerous official documents required for a name change. Over nearly two decades, Bradicich and his team have assisted more than 400,000 women with the same problem, and a distinct pattern repeatedly emerges.
For those in their younger years, who might be in college or just starting their career, dealing with government paperwork is often the main challenge they face,” he said. “It’s really about making sure this process is achieved quickly and correctly, but it’s largely a matter of following established procedures.
As he continued, “Once you enter the professional realm, you’ll encounter many more variables to consider. Your name needs to be updated with payroll systems, which then triggers a chain reaction of changes, including company email addresses, professional certifications, and licenses that must also be updated to maintain consistency, or else you may encounter complications. This level of distance and depth in your professional career plays a significant role.”
The impact per experience also leads to a greater understanding of the consequences of changing one’s moniker, as Bradicich pointed out, yet individuals often continue to find themselves getting caught off guard.
I think when you’re not directly involved in a situation, there’s often not a lot of genuine thought behind going in all at once.
People visiting another region often overlook the time-consuming process involved, particularly when obtaining travel documents, such as passports and driver’s licenses, that may not match, resulting in various complications.
Renaming oneself can offer several benefits.
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White, a prominent academic, has taught at prestigious institutions including Trinity College and Dublin City University, and has noticed a trend of people using his name in a calculated manner.
He pointed out: “In today’s digital world where everything is monitored, by the time someone reaches a professional level or their career has taken shape, there’s already a record of their past activities. Which is why it can be beneficial to say, ‘I’m starting fresh, I’m changing my name, I’m making a new identity.’ It can be a way to erase your digital past.”
It’s also a handy resource for people seeking a bit more online privacy. For instance, educators are finding it beneficial in concealing their social media profiles from their students’ view.
An analysis of 30 million records discovered that students with surnames in the back half of the alphabet (letters K to Z) received lower grades when their grades were listed alphabetically.
Students with initial letters near the beginning of the alphabet (A to E) generally tend to earn higher grades than the average student. The study notes that this bias can have a significant impact on a student’s long-term career prospects. However, new challenges have been found in the selection process used in recruiting platforms.
Research from the United States, based on over 12,000 job applications analyzed at King’s College London, indicates that international bias persists in the job market. Approximately 27% of applicants with English names received favorable responses for leadership positions, while those with non-English names received just 11.3% positive responses.
A change to overcome bias in hiring processes is a serious concern, but Malcolm White has also identified more positive strategic approaches. The coach enables others to learn his techniques, and making a distinction between one’s legal and professional name, as he puts it, “almost like a stage name,” can be extremely beneficial.
A significant aspect of coaching involves stepping out and being visible, but many people struggle with this due to existing presence on social media and within their current social circles.
Considering a name change after getting married is a personal decision that can depend on various factors, such as your personal preference, cultural background, and family dynamics.
At the end of the day, what truly matters when considering a name change is the individual’s own personal desire to do so.
In the workplace, to minimize confusion about name changes, individuals can simply be upfront about their decision to change their name.
That could be as simple as a “reintroduction” post on social media, or including a friendly reminder in an email signature that your display name may be updated soon.
He said, “When people interact with coworkers, they prefer authenticity. They feel that artificial professionalism and rehearsed interactions come across as fake, hard to relate to, and unapproachable. According to them, genuine connections are vital, and when someone shares their true self, even in challenging settings like the workplace, it ultimately draws others in.”
It’s a matter of personal preference,” Bradicich agreed. “Nobody can tell you what to do, but you should definitely talk to the people closest to you about it.
The needle is also shifting across the board, according to Chaudhary—a necessary conversation that has been long overdue.
The final goal of feminism is the ability to make your own choices and be free to adjust them whenever you desire,” they said. “When I was a student, we were taught to ‘make a decision and stick to it.’ I think people should have the flexibility to create a new choice if they wish.
One of the things already taking place is women gathering and discussion in various settings, including formal and informal conversations. I’ve been a part of several women-only scientific Slack groups, and the topic of name changes is frequently brought up. The informal network, so to speak, remains active.
She emphasized that discussions among scientists are indeed taking place, but now the focus needs to shift toward incorporating these conversations into more formal settings such as mentorship programs, faculty meetings, and even the process of searching for new faculty members.
June 22, 2024.
This account was originally published in
