Picking a name for your child is hard for a number of reasons, not least because you can’t predict the future. You could have lived a totally normal life as an Adolf or a Hannibal, until events took a turn where they became completely unusable. Picking a common name diffuses the risk; no one replies to a Joseph with “Oh, like the Russian despot”.
A common name doesn’t mean that you’re out of the woods entirely, especially if you are a woman. Just like you can’t predict the names of future Central European dictators or cannibalistic doctors that, you can’t predict the future surname of your husband. While taking your husband’s name is certainly less common now, the risk remains.
I went to primary school with a boy who’s mother was called Mandy Mandie, and a girl who’s mother was Alice Aliceson. They both seemed to carry it with poise and grace, and particularly for Mandy Mandie, I think they enjoyed it.
This story was inspired by reading the Old Geelong Football Club newsletter, where there will be a first intra-club marriage between Jessie Gleeson of the women’s team, and Jacob Jess of the men’s team, in April 2027. I wish the future, potential, Jessie Jess all the best.
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