Last Name!?

Question

So me and my boyfriend are expecting a baby girl in December. We aren't married, but are planning on it in the near future. My thing is, I never wanted to give my child a different last name than mine..so if I'm not married when she comes (which I won't be), she will keep my last name. 
My question is...how hard is it to change a child's last name after I get married? Should it match mine, or give her his? Feel free to comment below with whatever advice or stories you have. Thanks ladies!

Answer

If you want her to have your last name then give her yours. In general, it's not that difficult to change a child's last name if you two do decide to get married. If I wasn't married my child would have my last name not her father's since I would be the primary care giver. Don't let people tell you the father has a right to the last name, that's ridiculous. Do what makes you happy and comfortable because you're the one who will have to live with it.

Answer

My opinion is she is equally is child as she is yours, whether or not you ever marry. It is customary in our culture (are you in US?) to give baby dad's last name. Of course you can do what you want, but I'm all about baby is just as much dad's as it is mom's, AND you two are still together w/plans of marrying. Just my opinion.

Answer

I voted for you to give her his last name. But that's only if he is for sure going to be sticking around for your child. My sister gave birth 4 years ago and gave her baby her last name because she was constantly fighting with her boyfriend and now she's glad she stuck with her own last name because they are no longer together and my sister is now married to somebody else. For me, my baby girl will have my husband's last name even though I haven't officially changed my last name yet.

Answer

Yours … you can EASILY change her last name at the courthouse to his. Especially if his name is on the birth certificate.

Answer

Don't you want her to feel included in the family? If you are planning to change your name when you get married why would you give her your name? That doesn't make any sense at all.

Answer

I think that if you're going to get married.. Or you just know that he's going to be in her life whether you're married or not, she should have his last name. It is his child as well, after all. 
But, if you really want her to have your last name of you have her unmarried. Then give her your last name but wait until she's old enough to decide for herself if she wants to change it to his name.

Answer

I was the same way. 19 and having my first baby. I was worried that maybe things wouldnt work out. We had been together 5 years before i got pregnant but sometimes having a kid changes a relationship and not always for the best. So when my son was born i hyphenated the last names. We have now been married goin on 9 years together almost 15 years and i tried to remove my last name from my sons and its so much work. A court appointment and all kinds of things.  Just do what you feel is best.

Answer

I would suggest giving her yours and if y'all do get married you can change hers over. But it's what you and him feel most comfortable with.

Answer

My child will have my last name only because the child's father is not in the situation..  if he was, and supported me AND signed the  birth certificate then he would have his fathers last name. I think if he's in your child's life and you both plan on getting married just give her his last name and you won't have to worry about or pay for it later. Because if I'm not mistaken a name change is a few hundred dollars.

Answer

Just hyphenate and change when you are married

Last Name!?

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