[LizardQueen]

It not about it being a *man's* name, it's *your* name, the one you grew up with, the one you've always answered to, the one you've been all your life.

Getting rid of that is hard for some people. It has nothing to do with the origin of the name, just that it's been yours since birth.

I had mine for 30 years before I got married - that's nearly half my life. I ended up keeping it for the second half, too.

LQ

[cubreporter]

Yes it is your name but it is the name of your father and your family. Otherwise...how come I don't use my mother's maiden name? Because she took her HUSBAND'S name.

[fml]

Well, I took my husbands name when I was 22 and look forward the the day I can celebrate being alive longer with the name I chose over the name I was given.