Should Christian Women Change Their Maiden Names After Marriage?

I travel rather frequently across the Sub-Saharan part of the African Continent because of my job.  In the course of my travels, I noticed something rather interesting in Kenya. I noticed that most of the highly educated women I interacted with, still had their maiden names. When I asked why they had not changed their names after marriage, I got some interesting answers such as "It is such a tedious task to change my maiden name in Kenya. It is a long process."; "I don't want to let go of my family name"; "Why do I have to be the one to change my name? Why can't my husband change his name?"; "I haven't gotten round to it". Though they considered the responses rather legitimate, I could not understand the rationale. I also could not believe that the husbands allowed it.

When I asked one of the guys whose wife was still using her maiden name, he said that he tried to persuade her but she refused.



I guess I am too old fashioned. A woman holding onto her maiden name is not very common in Nigeria. You might come across hyphenated names when the bride is from a famous family and she wants people to know she is from that family.

As for me, although the Bible does not address this issue directly, I do think a woman should change their maiden name after marriage based on the following:

1. Changing her maiden name indicates that she agrees with the biblical concept of the man as the Head of the marriage and the household (1 Corinthians 11:3)
2. The Bible says that upon marriage, the two become one. It means a woman becomes one flesh with her husband. Changing her maiden name to his reflects this (Genesis 2:24)
3. Remember the marriage between a man and a woman is likened to the relationship between Christ and the Church. We, the Church Bride, become Christ-ians, identifying ourselves with Him. Christ's bride is rightly called by her Husband's name. A woman who changes her name bears witness to this part of the gospel story.
4. As part of the marriage rites, Every bride's father is asked "Who gives this bride in marriage" and he says " I do" and he hands over the woman to the husband to be. Now when the father has done this, why would the woman want to keep her father's name?
5. A woman keeping her maiden name after marriage emphasises a woman's independence from her husband. It unconsciously says I can do without you.

I will like to summarise by saying that a woman who assumes her husband's name upon marriage is not regarded as more emotional, less intelligent, less competent and less ambitious. The woman is indeed a strong woman.

What do you think?