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AIBU?

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AIBU to consider changing my son’s surname after I marry?

143 replies

su203456 · 13/05/2026 19:34

Just looking to see if anyone has any advice or has been in a similar situation.

I fell pregnant with my son at 18. Me and his dad weren’t together long and had ended things before I found out I was pregnant. My son has my surname, not his dad’s.

Fast forward 7 years and I’m due to get married in a few months to my fiancé. We’ve since had a child together who has his surname, and I’ll be changing mine when we marry.

My son’s dad sees him every other weekend and everything is perfectly amicable, but outside of those visits he doesn’t really check in. We don’t hear from him in between, and he’s not involved in the general day-to-day things like school, clubs, appointments etc.

What’s brought this up is that my son recently asked me about surnames and said he’ll be the only one in the house with a different name?

I’m now wondering whether I should look at changing his surname so we all match as a family. My fiancé has been in his life since he was one, so he won’t remember life without him there.

Part of me worries how his biological dad would react, but then equally my son doesn’t have his surname anyway. I did think about double barrelling, but honestly both surnames together are a bit of a mouthful. I also think it’s a huge deal changing a child’s name but that could just be my anxiety!

Would it be unreasonable to consider it?

OP posts:
Velvian · 13/05/2026 20:13

Why don't you and DD change to Mrs/Miss Yourname-Fiancename after marriage. You need to re-register DD after marriage anyway.

PepsiBook · 13/05/2026 20:12

I work with kids. You'd be shocked the amount of kids who have their step dads last name... To then never see him again when they split up.
It's sad.

CaramelGhost · 13/05/2026 20:12

I would have given the new LO your name and kept it. Personally I'm not a fan of mother's giving their children their new husbands name but I know many won't agree. Seen it too many times where it doesn't work out and then a child is stuck with an ex partners surname that is no relation to them that never would have seen it coming at the time.

MmeDubois7 · 13/05/2026 20:12

Roads · 13/05/2026 19:45

Well no. He has your name and you're his mum. It would actually be in his best interests if you kept your name rather than considered giving him another name just because you've got married.

Exactly!

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 13/05/2026 20:12

Why do you all need to have the same name? You are a blended family; it was never all going to be the same?

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:11

MrsKateColumbo · 13/05/2026 20:09

Fiance and DC2 should change their surnames to be your maiden name/DC1. Everyone's a winner!

Agreed. I just don’t think he will go for it. Egos and all that.

OP posts:
MmeDubois7 · 13/05/2026 20:11

su203456 · 13/05/2026 19:44

@BeardySchnauzer Thanks for your reply. I’m aware I would need father’s permission. However, wouldn’t it be the child’s best interest vs his dad’s ego?

Changing your child's surname is not in their best interests.

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:09

bumptybum · 13/05/2026 20:03

OP if his father won’t allow the name change, will you still change your name when you get married?

Because that would be an incredibly strange choice

No. If his dad didn’t grant permission, i would not change my name.

OP posts:
MmeDubois7 · 13/05/2026 20:09

Personally, I would not change his name. It's a lot of change for him anyway. If I were you, I'd keep my maiden name so you and ds are the same.

MrsKateColumbo · 13/05/2026 20:09

Fiance and DC2 should change their surnames to be your maiden name/DC1. Everyone's a winner!

dudsville · 13/05/2026 20:08

Your son has your name, you have your name. New DH and your other child change to your name? Less faff down the line should you seperate.

RaspberryFeet · 13/05/2026 20:06

Your in laws have got a nerve sticking their oar in! You weren’t even married then either. Did they not care that yoir children would have different surnames?

Tell your fiancé you felt pressured and you want to change the surname of your dd to your surname and that you would love it if he changed his when you got married but if he doesn’t want to that’s fine.

BeardySchnauzer · 13/05/2026 20:06

Are you changing your name because you’re scared of upsetting your in laws or because your fiance expects it?

changing names is a bit out of favour these days. I’m not sure I’d bother if I married now

Roads · 13/05/2026 20:05

I'm not actually sure I would get married to someone who put the thoughts of his parents above my own especially on something as personal as what you named your child.

Why didn't he tell them it was none of their business and support you in naming her your surname?

ItTook9Years · 13/05/2026 20:04

Your second child should have your surname and your new husband can take it as well. It’s 2026. Women and children don’t have to be branded with a man’s name.

ClayPotaLot · 13/05/2026 20:04

Agree with several others that your DS's interests would be best served by you not taking your fiance's surname, not by having his changed or being left as the odd-one-out.

bumptybum · 13/05/2026 20:03

OP if his father won’t allow the name change, will you still change your name when you get married?

Because that would be an incredibly strange choice

RaspberryFeet · 13/05/2026 20:03

Your ex is on the birth certificate so you can’t change your sons name without his fathers permission.

I don’t think it’s in his best interest to change his name, it’s a big deal. He will have to explain in to his friends ds and going forward he will always have to disclose that he had a different name at one point.

su203456 · 13/05/2026 20:02

Thanks for all the replies so far. Think a fair few of you are on the same page! Some made a good point about divorce, hard to imagine but it’s a possibility. Years ago when we had our daughter, I wanted her to have my last name but it caused tensions with in laws. I think I was too pregnant and overwhelmed to think properly at that point.

OP posts:
CtrlCctrlVForTheRestOfMyLife · 13/05/2026 20:02

CaptainMyCaptain · 13/05/2026 20:00

Sorry. I completely misread that. Ignore.

Edited

I think the son is . Op was 18 when she had him.

If I have misread and he is 18 then just do whatever your son wants (but if he decides not to change his name don't change yours either)

ClayPotaLot · 13/05/2026 20:02

CaptainMyCaptain · 13/05/2026 20:00

Sorry. I completely misread that. Ignore.

Edited

edited as no longer relevant.

Roads · 13/05/2026 20:02

CaptainMyCaptain · 13/05/2026 20:00

Sorry. I completely misread that. Ignore.

Edited

The child isn't 18. He's 7.

OnlyMabelInTheBuilding · 13/05/2026 20:02

su203456 · 13/05/2026 19:51

only because my son has voiced his opinion about his surname.

If you don’t change yours, his issue goes away. It’s you changing your name which is causing the issue.

CaptainMyCaptain · 13/05/2026 20:00

BeardySchnauzer · 13/05/2026 19:37

You’d need his dads permission?

I can imagine he’ll have an issue with your son taking another man’s name even if he doesn’t have his!

Sorry. I completely misread that. Ignore.

StarDolphins · 13/05/2026 20:00

In this situation, I would keep your name the same as your sons then he’s not the odd one out.

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