Surname question

[eekee 182]

Are you suggesting that you take "Vladimir Igorevich Ivanov" and turn him into Walter George Johnson?

It was done when being from Eastern Europe was considered something to be ashamed of. I don't really think we should go back to that.

Yeah, but taking the "a" form of a Russian name is, in effect, creating a whole new name here in the U.S. In Russia, everyone knows Smirnova is just like Smirnov but a woman. Here in the U.S., "it's weird that your name is different than your husband's."

What's a girl to do?

It's one thing to decide to be Anna Smirnov instead of Smirnova, but it's a whole different thing to decide to become Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

[slim 1,514]

It's one thing to decide to be Anna Smirnov instead of Smirnova, but it's a whole different thing to decide to become Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Not in the eyes of the U.S. government. (In some places.) If you're taking on Smirnova instead of Smirnov, that's a completely different name. Might as well be Smith for all intents and purposes.

As mox said several posts ago, check your local laws on the legality of name changes.

[eekee 182]

It's one thing to decide to be Anna Smirnov instead of Smirnova, but it's a whole different thing to decide to become Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Not in the eyes of the U.S. government. (In some places.) If you're taking on Smirnova instead of Smirnov, that's a completely different name. Might as well be Smith for all intents and purposes.

As mox said several posts ago, check your local laws on the legality of name changes.

I wasn't talking about the legality.

[anka 1]

Although a little late in the game to be replying to everyone who so kindly answered my question over 3 months ago, I just want to say thank you for all your advice and wisdom. I apologize for being absent from this thread. (ach, life!)

So, we were married on May 15. I opted to keep my name the way it is - for now - due to all the "complications" a declinable surname/proper noun seems to cause... Plus, I feel like if I am going to change my name, it should be done traditionally correct.

I hope to change it in the near future, once I've further familiarized myself on how to go about doing this (state laws, etc. as Mox mentioned).

Thanks again everyone!

Edited June 12, 2009 by anka

[chili74 0]

Good to see you back. Happy Wedding!

[BTalley 0]

My Russian wife kept her surname, which is fine with me. I love her regal name.

We had some address labels printed with little characatures of us and our 4 pets. And the heading on the label reads "The Talley-Romanova Zoo"

We sent one package with the label on it to Svetlana's mother in the Ukraine, who does not know any English. So without knowing what she was writing, she addressed her next letter to her daughter to "Talley-Romanova Zoo."

[mox 298]

Welcome back Anka, and congratulations!!

[anka 1]

Welcome back Anka, and congratulations!!

Thank you!

[johnj 0]

My wife came here and changed her name to mine. Now, she's wanting to change it back. She's said that since she took on my surname it doesn't suit her well and it's changed her luck in life.

I agree, with a last name of "Slim-a", I might want to change it also

[baron555 934]

My wife came here and changed her name to mine. Now, she's wanting to change it back. She's said that since she took on my surname it doesn't suit her well and it's changed her luck in life.

I agree, with a last name of "Slim-a", I might want to change it also

Actually it's Slimanova. Pronounced Sleem-eh-noba. I agree, sounds too Latin. Change it !!!

[slim 1,514]

It's the "slim" part that's messing her up. She doesn't want to be associated with me at all!

[Thomas-n-Elena 0]

It's the "slim" part that's messing her up. She doesn't want to be associated with me at all!

Understandably I dont think its a very descriptive name, it would be like me naming myself Hairy, its just not true and a bit deceptive. hehehe