How does having 2 last names work?

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.

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

It's totally up to you but it's most common for your last name to be the first (the person hyphenating) and your spouse's second (assuming your spouse isn't hyphenating).

Can I legally have two last names?

A hyphenated last name would be Smith-Jones or Jones-Smith. It's your choice which name comes first. Hyphenating your last name is considered a legal name change – meaning you can't drop your spouse's name or the hyphen in the future without having to go through a court-ordered name change.

What are the disadvantages of having two last names?

Which last name goes first when hyphenating?

Generally, there are no set rules or etiquette when it comes to deciding exactly how your hyphenated last name will read. 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.

Spanish Surnames Explained

Does mom or dad's last name come first?

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 benefits of hyphenating last name?

Can a US citizen have two last names?

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.

Why do Mexicans have two last names?

The two surnames names are ancestral, with the father's family name followed by the mother's family name.

Can a girl keep two surnames?

A woman can choose if she wants to continue with the surname she has been living with throughout her life, replace her existing surname with that of her husband's or add her husband's surname to her existing one. It is completely her choice, and no law in India demands a woman to change her surname after marriage.

How do you write two last names on a birth certificate?

You can use the mother's last name or you can use both the mother's last name and the father's last name with a hyphen, such as “Gonzales-Reyes.” What you decide is up to you, just be sure it's exactly what you want as a permanent record. To change it later will require a court order to do so.

When a person has two last names How do you alphabetize?

Ignore the hyphen and alphabetize considering the first part of the hyphenated name. Ignore ampersands (&) joining two or more proper names.

Can a married couple have two different last names?

Yes, but in most places, you'll have to get a court order to do it. Some couples want to be known by a hyphenated combination of their last names, and a few even make up new names that combine elements of each.

How do you write someone with two last names?

How do you write a family with two last names?

It is also acceptable to use "John and Mary Smith and Family" or "The Smith Family." However, it is acceptable today to also have the mother's name first in family signatures such as "Mary, John, Matthew and Susan Smith." If there are two different last names and the couple has children, then it would be proper to sign ...

How do you address a married couple with two last names?

Why do men have 2 last names?

People in Britain during the 15th century began hyphenating their last names in order to commemorate the combining of their family fortunes. Also, when there were no male heirs, the bride's name could be taken on by the husband.

How do Hispanic last names work?

Spaniards have a personal name(s) followed by two surnames – the father's paternal family name and then the mother's paternal family name. For example: Hector Marίa GONZALEZ LÓPEZ. People may have two personal names (e.g. Hector Marίa).

Do Hispanics go by their first or second last name?

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).

Can I name my kid Jesus?

United States. III, Jesus Christ, Adolf Hilter, Santa Claus and @ were all ruled illegal by courts in the U.S.

Can I use both maiden and married name?

You are able to use two names if you want

You're legally allowed to keep your maiden (or current) name for work or professional reasons, and use your new married name socially or for family-related purposes.

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 is the deal with a hyphenated last name?

Hyphenated last names usually correspond to both last names of one of the parents but both last names can be hyphenated, so some Hispanics may legally have two double-barrelled last names corresponding to both last names of both parents.

Can I give my child 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.

Whose last name should baby get?

For example, most states mandate that the child should have two names. Typically, that is the last name of the mother if she is not married and the last name of the father if married. There are states that allow unmarried mothers to choose her or the father's name.