With the explosion of feminism and Western wokeness, many Nigerian ladies no longer go with the flow of automatically dropping their maiden names to adopt their husbands’ (sur)names.
This shun of the ‘old ways’ has given rise to a number of school of thoughts as some ladies now prefer to retain their maiden name while others want a slice of the two, so they combine their surname and husband’s name to make a compound name.
TheRadar spoke with 16 single ladies about whether they would drop their father’s name, keep it, or compound the two. Here are their interesting responses:
Nigerian ladies discuss changing their surname after marriage
‘Sola:
The stress of changing name is out of this world. For that alone, I’m not interested in changing my maiden name. I’ll gladly keep my father’s name. I’m not ready to go through all that.
Chika:
Culturally, we have always kept our father’s names, even in the Bible. You are addressed by your father’s name, Chika, daughter of so so so. Even in Igbo land, it is the same, you are known by your father’s name. The children bear their father’s name too. This change of name is a product of colonial mentality. And what is even the gain of doing this? Unless your husband is VVVIP, it shouldn’t be a big deal. I’m a professional, and people already know me by father’s name. At best, I could do a compound name, but I don’t see myself tossing away my father’s name.
Damola:
I'm keeping my father's name. It's the name I've known all my life. Quite frankly, if someone calls me by another, I'll probably not know I'm the one being addressed. It's just my sense of ownership, it's my name
Korede:
Logically, taking your husband's name after marriage makes sense because you're leaving your father's family identity behind and adopting your husband's identity. However, if you've already established yourself and made a name for yourself before marriage, hyphenating your surname can be a way to maintain your individual identity while still acknowledging your marriage. If I hadn't established my own identity, choosing a compound surname would seem unnecessary. So, I would opt for my husband's name if I hadn't made a name for myself, but if I had, I would consider hyphenating.
Dorcas:
But I think I really will just stick with my husband’s name. I don’t see any point in retaining my father’s name. It’s what is supposed to be done.
Stella:
If he treats me well and pays the bride price without any complaints I’m taking any name he gives me.
Dupe:
I’ll take a compound name. I believe a good name is better than riches. The name I have been known for over the years should not go down the drain on the platter of marriage.
Moni:
I’ll take his name. I would have loved to have my maiden name joined with his, but I don’t like compound names.
Ope:
I will keep my name. I do not wish to change my identity.
Haliyah:
I am a Muslim, and according to Islam, you’re not supposed to change your father’s name. Your children will have their father’s name. You’re supposed to have your father’s name too.
Tola:
I will take my husband's name. I believe taking his last name is one of the ways to identify with him, as per oneness in marriage. But I might still indicate in some situations my maiden name, especially in situations where I have been recognised with my maiden name.
Imole:
When I get married, I'll retain my maiden name because I see no necessity in changing to my husband's last name, and this has little to do with the 'modern feminism'. Also, before we said "I do" to each other, we'd have talked about this at length and let him know about my choice. I love my name and will keep it that way.
Dami:
I'll take my husband's name because it has always been that way among the Yorubas since time immemorial.
‘Desola:
I’ll take my husband’s name because we are married and we are now one under marriage.
Olamide:
I can’t change my name oo. It’ll remain the way it is now. There’s nothing that can make me change my name. Never.
Adewumi:
My mum dropped her father’s name to adopt my dad’s. This is our culture, and I can’t even imagine telling my dad or mum that I want to retain their surname after marriage. They’ll drag me to a newspaper house to change my name before handing me over to my husband.
Talking Stage: Should ladies be entitled to money, expensive gifts from men?
Earlier, TheRadar reported that controversial influencer Saida Boj trended for days on social media because of her hot takes on her financial expectations of a man she meets for the first time.
This prompted reactions from Nigerians who shared their opinions on whether ladies should be entitled to money and expensive gifts from men, especially those they are not married to.
