Should you change your first name after marriage?

It is as common today for women to change their surname after marriage, as to keep their maiden name. Most professional women who have certificates testifying to their qualifications, or travel documents in their maiden names prefer to keep their maiden names.

Although it is becoming common for a power couple to take on hyphenated surnames, reflecting their commitment to each other, and a more gender-neutral outlook, it is women who more often choose to take on the hyphenated surname. Children also receive hyphenated surnames.

However, I am today talking about the custom of changing the wife's first name upon her marriage. I believe that this is quite common in some communities. The woman's name is changed in accordance with the requirements of astrology, or even just because the family of her husband prefer another name. I personally believe this to be a sexist practice that causes the woman to lose her identity and opportunities to achieve her potential.

Consider this: A woman who changes her first name, officially, by notification in the gazette and subsequently, changes her name in her passport, Aadhaar and other identity documents, finds it very difficult subsequently to pursue further education. She has to prove that the woman/girl who earned the degrees or qualifications, and the woman she is now are the same woman. She finds it difficult to receive references from her institutions. A breakdown of the marriage leads to many difficulties in establishing and recovering her formal identity.

My advise would be that a woman who is being forced to accept a change of her first name, should preferably use the name socially, and within the community, but should refrain from making the name change official.

However, this is a personal view; a wife may take the decision to change her name as a means of establishing her commitment to make the marriage work. That, then, would be her personal decision.