The long-standing tradition of a wife taking her husband's surname is facing a modern shake-up, with a new trend seeing men incorporating their spouse's name. High-profile figures like Brooklyn Beckham and Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty are at the forefront of this shift, opting for double-barrelled surnames after marriage.
A Defiant Stance or Modern Unity?
Adam Peaty, who married television presenter Holly Ramsay, is now known as Ramsay Peaty. Similarly, Brooklyn Beckham, following his marriage to actress Nicola Peltz, goes by Peltz Beckham. While some may see this as a simple modern choice, etiquette expert Jo Hayes suggests there is a deeper, more personal motive at play.
Hayes told the Daily Mirror she believes the decision represents a "defiant stance" from both men, who have been involved in very public and strained feuds with their families. "It’s quite clear that both men made the choice as a defiant stance to distance themselves from their families of origin - to clearly establish a definitive new family unit with their spouse," she explained.
The Rising Trend in Name Choices
This move aligns with broader changing attitudes. Research from Guides For Brides indicates that the topic of surname changes is increasingly debated. Their findings show that 16% of women now choose to keep their maiden name, while a significant 35% of men are open to taking their partner's name.
Hayes notes that women often retain their surnames for professional reasons or personal attachment, sometimes using it as a middle name or keeping it for work. The expert emphasises she is "for anything that promotes optimal unity within a marriage," suggesting the creation of a new, shared family identity is a positive step.
The Question of Legacy and Sustainability
While the traditional practice of a wife taking the husband's name served to create a clear family lineage, Hayes points out that the new double-barrelled approach also forges a strong, unified family identity. However, she raises a practical concern about its long-term viability.
"There’s only so many generations this could be practiced, without it getting out of hand," Jo stated. As an alternative, she proposes a sustainable compromise: children could take the wife’s maiden name as a middle name. This "honours the wife’s family legacy and creates a beautiful link between both families" while maintaining a single, simple surname to pass down.
The actions of Beckham and Peaty have ignited conversation around marital identity, proving that when it comes to modern marriage, the rules are well and truly being rewritten.
