Can my baby have 2 last names?

Some names lend themselves well to hyphenation while others don't. If you don't like hyphens but still want to use both names, your child can simply have two last names.

When you have 2 last names which one do you use?

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.

Which last name goes first?

You can go the "traditional" route and list your "maiden" name first, or you could choose to list your new last name first, followed by your original last name. Some couples decide to have both partners change to the hyphenated last name, as a show of unity and equality.

Why do kids have two last names?

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.

What are the possible disadvantages of using two family names?

Can a baby have 2 last names?

Can a baby have two last names without a hyphen?

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.

Should I give my baby both last names?

Having both family names is a way to showcase that both parentages are just as important as each other. While traditions are also important, having your child or children being able to always carry both surnames can help them understand at a young age how significant both sides of the family are.

Can a US citizen have two last names?

Answer: U.S. citizens are required to use their current legal names on their U.S. passports. Unless you can provide documentation that proves sole use of that one last name instead of two, you need to include both last names in your passport application.

Whose last name should the baby have?

The mother's surname when the child was born; The father's surname when the child was born; Both parents' names, recorded in any order, hyphenated or unhyphenated; or. Any surname to which either the mother or father has a familial connection.

Who decides the last name of a baby?

In the case of an unmarried couple, whoever has custody of the child will be responsible for selecting the child's first and last name. This means that an unwed mother who has custody of the child may elect to give the child her last name or put the father's last name on the birth certificate.

Why should a child have the father's last name?

"The surname remains the only way of showing legitimacy. Without it, there's no certainty that the kid has a legal father."

Does a baby take the father's name?

Whether you are married or not, you don't have to give the baby the last name of either parent if you don't want to, and the child does not have to have the father's last name to be considered "legitimate." (See the article Legitimacy of Children Born to Unmarried Parents for more on the subject.)

Can I give my baby a hyphenated last name?

Go with a hyphenated last name

When contending with two last names, couples sometimes choose to hyphenate their child's name (e.g. Smith-Hawkins). Jessica, a tech worker from San Francisco whose parents weren't married when she was born, has lived with a hyphenated last name.

Can you add a second last name?

In most states, people can legally change their last name to their new spouse's surname, hyphenate their two surnames, or create a new amalgamation of their surnames (like when actors Alexa Vega and Carlos Pena got married in 2014, and changed both of their last names to PenaVega).

Why do Hispanics have 2 last names?

The two surnames refer to each of the parental families. Traditionally, a person's first surname is the father's first surname (apellido paterno), while their second surname is the mother's first surname (apellido materno).

How do you initialize two last names?

For example, a double name would be "M-SXW." If you have a hyphenated last name and want to keep the hyphen in your monogram, the order would be "First Name" in small font size, "Maiden Name" in larger font size, a hyphen, "Husband's Last Name" in larger font size, "Middle Name" in small font size.

Whose last name does baby take if parents are not married?

In California, as in many states, parents are free to give their child whatever last name they choose, including the mother's surname, father's surname or a completely different surname altogether. If an unmarried woman gives birth, she is free to make this decision by herself.

What surname do you give a baby if not married?

Parents can give their child whatever name or surname they want! Although it's traditional to give a child the father's surname, or, less commonly, the mother's surname, the child's surname could be a combination of both (for example) — or something completely different.

Do you have to give baby dads last name?

You can choose any name, or no name. In many cultures the child's last name listed on the birth record is the father's family name, but that is optional.

Can I use two names legally us?

Legally you should only have 1 legal name. HOWEVER you can have shortened or abbreviated names, nicknames and assumed names. Assumed names can be registered in county or state offices in the US.

Who names the baby mom or dad?

Who Has the Right to Name a Child? Both parents have the right to name their children. If either you or the other parent want to change your child's name, you both have to agree to the change. If the other parent refuses to give consent, then you need to get approval from the court.

Why would a child have a hyphenated last name?

Given both circumstance, and increasing compromise between both parents in a paternity case is to hyphenate the last name. The court will take the mother and father's last name and hyphenate it together. Many courts are encouraging hyphenated last name to increase settlement in cases.

What are the benefits of hyphenating last name?

Most women decide to hyphenate their last names because they need to compromise for the sake of their husbands and their new families. The option to hyphenate their names allows them to maintain their maiden names or their identity in a manner of speaking while also taking on the identity of the husband.

How long can a baby go without a last name?

The hospital may ask you to fill out the birth certificate before you leave. But if you need more time, you do not have to decide at the hospital. If you do not choose a name within 10 days, the state will make a birth certificate for “baby boy” or “baby girl” with the mother's last name.

What right does a father have if his name is on the birth certificate?

If a father has their name on the birth certificate, then they would have the same parental responsibility rights as the mother and would be able to make key decisions about the child.