What last name goes first?

Which name goes first? 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). I'm choosing to hyphenate my last name.
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Which last name comes first mother or father?

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.
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Does the male or female last name go first?

Married, she uses her husband's name socially

NOTE: Traditionally, a woman's name preceded a man's on an envelope address, and his first and surname were not separated (Jane and John Kelly). Nowadays, the order of the names—whether his name or hers comes first—does not matter and either way is acceptable.
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Does the father last name go first?

The name of the father is listed on the birth record as First, Middle and Last. Make sure it is spelled correctly and that it agrees with the father's name as listed on his other legal documents. If you are married to your child's father, you usually list his name.
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When Hyphenating a baby name which goes first?

2 attorney answers

Traditionally a woman's name goes first followed by a man's name...
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What Your Last Name Means



What order do last names go in?

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.
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Which last name goes first when married?

Which name goes first? 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).
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What last name does a newborn take?

In cases where the child is born out of wedlock, the child often gets the mother's last name. But if paternity is established, both parents have the right to petition the court to change the child's last name. After the name change, the court will issue a new birth certificate with the changed name.
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Can a 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. This is the norm in many Spanish-speaking countries, where kids get one last name from each parent.
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Why do babies get father's last name?

"[Giving the man's last name to the child] can be a way of having a sense of two parents," she explains. "It's also a way of trusting in the marriage -- saying, 'This is someone I can count on. ' It's about enjoying the good parts of being part of a family, of feeling somehow that this man is making a commitment."
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Which name should come first?

In social importance, the woman is always first, then males, then children. Traditionally, the man's first and surnames are never separated. The confused idea of the man's name first (John and Jane Doe or Mr. John Doe and Ms.
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When writing a couples name who comes first?

Both husband and wife use their first names, with the wife's name listed first and the husband's second. It helps to remember the old Southern rule of always keeping the man's first and last name together. And, of course, last names are always written.
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How do two last names work?

A hyphenated last name is when you and your spouse combine both of your last names with a hyphen. This is also called a double surname. In many states, when you fill out your application for your marriage license, you'll be writing your intended married name on that application.
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Why do Hispanic have 2 last names?

The two surnames names are ancestral, with the father's family name followed by the mother's family name. In Colombia, for example, “Ernesto Escobar Vega” uses two surnames (“Escobar Vega ”) as his legal name, with “Escobar” coming from his father and “Vega” coming from his mother.
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How do you address a family with two last names?

How to Address an Envelope to a Family With Different Last Names
  1. Options One: Formal - Put the parents on one line and give each new last name its own line. Mr. Lee and Ms. Smith. Jenny Johnson. Jackson Bowen.
  2. Option Two: Informal - Only use first names. Jack, Kim, Jenny, and Jackson.
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How do Hispanic last names work?

In Spanish cultures, people traditionally have 2 surnames. The first is the paternal surname (apellido paterno), the father's first surname, and the second is the maternal surname (apellido materno), the mother's first surname.
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Can you pick any last name for your baby?

Choosing a Last Name

When it comes to your child's last name, you may not have a choice. In some states and countries, the baby must be given the father's last name, if known. 1 Sometimes it has to be the mother's last name. Other places allow for more options, especially if mom and dad aren't married.
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How do you pick a last name?

How To Choose a Cool Last Name
  1. Consider the meaning. ...
  2. See how it sounds with the first name. ...
  3. Count how many syllables it is. ...
  4. Ask yourself what “feeling” the last name creates and if it matches with your character's persona. ...
  5. Consider its uniqueness.
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Can a child take the mother's last name?

Every child has the right to use his or her mother's surname and a father can't dictate terms, the Delhi high court observed on Friday while hearing a plea by a minor girl's father seeking direction to the authorities to reflect his name as his daughter's surname in the documents and not otherwise.
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Can you double barrel your child's surname?

Yes, you can choose to double barrel your child's name. If you and your spouse don't share the same last name but you want to make sure that you both share a last name with your child, it's possible to pass on both names to the child in the form of double barrelled or hyphenated surname.
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What last name does the baby get if you aren't married?

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.
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Can baby take dad's last name if not married?

With a few exceptions, most states allow parents to choose their child's name, without restriction. Unmarried partners can decide to choose one parent's last name, hyphenate both last names, or create a new last name that combines both parents' names.
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How do you combine married last names?

If your state doesn't allow you to create a new last name due to marriage, you will need to go through your county court system in order to legally change your last name. If your state's marriage laws allow your desired last name, you must write your new last name on the marriage certificate.
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How should married couples names appear on checks?

For example, if paying a married couple, address the couple as "Mr. and Mrs. John Doe" instead of "Jane Doe and John Doe." If the couple is married but keeping distinct last names, or if the two payees are linked by business purposes, you will need to enter both their full names.
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How do you write maiden name with married name example?

Use Maiden Names for Women

For example, to record Mary Elizabeth, whose maiden name is unknown and who is married to John DEMPSEY, write Mary Elizabeth () or Mary Elizabeth () DEMPSEY.
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