I recently read an interesting article in the New York Times. It concerned Jenifer Lopez’s decision to change her name from Jennifer Lopez to Jennifer Affleck after marrying Ben Affleck. The article discussed, extensively, the financial ramifications her name change could have on her “brand.”  The article asks whether JoLo would still be JoLo if she is Jennifer Affleck? 

I wondered if Jennifer Lopez considered all the ramifications The Times discussed when she made her decision or, whether, she  just went with a feeling. I believe that the decision to change a surname is a very personal decision. I changed my last name when I married my first husband because I did not like the last name I had. I changed my surname again when I married my second husband  to cut the tie  between myself  and my first husband.

 The decision whether  to change my last name, twice, was my decision alone. I listened to other’s opinions, including my children’s but, in the end, I made the decision.

Have you or your spouse changed your last name?