Here in the USA, I'm more familiar with a woman adding a married name to the end of the maiden name. I have a niece who didn't want to give up her maiden name, so she called herself Johnson-Smith. Her husband just uses his name of Smith.
The best known example here is Hilary Rodham-Clinton. Just after her husband was elected president, she insisted that the press use the double name for her. However, the Hispanic people who have moved into the USA from south of the border usually have a double name. The first one is the father's family name and the second is the mother's. When Maria Hernandez-Vasquez marries Jose Mendosa-Santos, their children will be known as Mendosa-Hernandez. The maternal name from each parent is dropped. Only the paternal names carry more than a generation. At least, this is how it was explained to me. Sometimes the names are 'Americanized' and the maternal name is dropped, leaving a single last name. All this name stuff can be confusing to the person who is not used to hyphenated names. I'm from the days when it was normal for a girl to take her husband's name. My maiden name is still mine, and I can use it anytime I wish -- my name, his name, or both names. A person can always go to court and get his name changed to anything he wishes. Changing a name at marriage is legal without going to court. Removing a name does take a court action, I believe. I doubt I ever have to find out for sure. Now I have to go feed my (think they're starving)cats. Alice in Oregon To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
