Divorced women of Internet, if you changed your name when you married, did you change it back when you divorced? Why or why not?

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Yes, I changed it back. The name didn’t really feel like “me” anymore after I woke up to how awful that relationship was. I lost myself for awhile, and reclaiming my name felt healing to me.

ETA: Length of marriage was not a factor for me

No kids. Took my name back.

Then got my doctorate. Dr. “Maiden Name” felt so, so good.

I actually got divorced last year after 8 years.

I legally shortened my first name, as I never went by the full one, and got a new last name not related to anyone at all.

I changed my name when I got married and I kept it after divorce. The marriage wasn’t that long, so the lenght doesn’t have impact. The reason is that I never liked my last name before and I was very happy for the new name. It’s such relief not to feel bad when I have to intruduce myself with my full name. It wasn’t insulting name or anything, it just never suited me I guess, I never liked it, never felt like connected to it… I can’t explain. I just never liked the old name… And in my mind my current name is not like connected to my ex husband, it’s just the name I like better, that suits me better.

Not changed back. I keep the name to match my kids.

If I had been married for less than 5 years, maybe. But when you have that name for 17, everything is under that name. Waaaaay too much hassle.

Divorced and remarried.

I kept my ex-husband’s last name (We’ll call it Green) because it’s also my son’s last name. Dad Green and Son Green need to know that Mom Green is still part of their family.

But then I met and fell in love with Mr. Blue. So I hyphenated. I’m Mrs. Green-Blue now. My son is still Son Green, because he’s Dad’s son, not Stepdad’s. (His choice)

Edit: the length of the marriage had no input on my decision. If I didn’t have a kid, I would have changed my name back to my maiden name.

Absolutely. I had my lawyer do it with the paperwork. That was like the first thing I asked her to do. Lol. I couldn’t get my name back fast enough. I happened to remarry a wonderful man and I love having his name. Totally worth the switches.

No. It’s too much hassle.