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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:
SausageRoll2020 · 13/05/2026 19:46

Why not change your younger child's name to yours too and your fiance can also take yours. Then you'd all match.

Cat3rpillar7 · 13/05/2026 19:46

Clogblog · 13/05/2026 19:45

It would have been better to give both your kids your name and then your DH could have taken it too.

In fact, you could still do this if your fiancé would agree and not put his ego first

Such a good idea!

Clogblog · 13/05/2026 19:45

It would have been better to give both your kids your name and then your DH could have taken it too.

In fact, you could still do this if your fiancé would agree and not put his ego first

Roads · 13/05/2026 19:45

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?

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.

Whyherewego · 13/05/2026 19:45

Double barrel your surname and give that to your other DC too?

BudgetBuster · 13/05/2026 19:44

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?

Why would it be in the child's best interest?

wanderlustdiaries · 13/05/2026 19:44

OP, how about hyphenating with your (new) name and his? I think it’ll need to be changed one way or another because it would feel awful to be the only one with that name.

AOBMGB · 13/05/2026 19:44

I wouldn’t change my sons surname to another mans name who isn’t his dad, particularly if he still sees his dad. But I don’t think I’d have a different surname to my child either.. I would just keep my surname.

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?

OP posts:
RaspberryFeet · 13/05/2026 19:44

Roads · 13/05/2026 19:42

I would be keeping my surname if he has yours. That way two of you have your name and two of you have your partners name and he doesn't feel like the odd one out.

Yes, this is the best plan.

Artesia · 13/05/2026 19:43

Why don't you just not change your name OP? You may prefer to, but for your son's sake I'd just leave it

RaspberryFeet · 13/05/2026 19:43

Decacaffeinatednow · 13/05/2026 19:42

Is he on the birth certificate?

This is the important question.

crypticandmachiavellian · 13/05/2026 19:43

His dad will still have to consent if he has parental responsibility (if he’s on the birth certificate then he will have this) whether he has the same last name or not. Personally, I would be keeping my last name upon marriage and would have given the child with your new partner both surnames but I appreciate I’m probably in a minority there.

Roads · 13/05/2026 19:42

I would be keeping my surname if he has yours. That way two of you have your name and two of you have your partners name and he doesn't feel like the odd one out.

Simonjt · 13/05/2026 19:42

MsPavlichenko · 13/05/2026 19:40

Why would she need his Dad’s permission?

For the same reason his Dad would need permission to change their sons name.

Decacaffeinatednow · 13/05/2026 19:42

Is he on the birth certificate?

MsPavlichenko · 13/05/2026 19:40

Why would she need his Dad’s permission?

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!