To be stressing out over my unfortunate post - marriage name??

[Shande80]

DP and I are getting married in May 2016. The combination of my first name and his second name gives the same name as an undesirable soap opera character. I've already had sniggers and jokes and one person (who wasn't aware of my situation) joked "hey wouldn't it be funny if you married someone with the surname *** oh how awful would that be!" .

The was I see it I have three options ...

1. Grin and bear it ... For years ... And years ... And years ...
   
2. Not change my second name which would be a shame as I'd like us to have the same name and this option would not go down well with his family. Plus his ex wife still has his surname which would make it seem even worse that I didn't iykwim??
   
3. Change my first name. I've always hated the fucker anyway but I can imagine it being a right faff on trying to get everyone on board.
   

It's stressing me out and I don't even watch the bloody program.

[TwoLittleTerrors]

Keep your name or double barrel. I wouldn't care what his family thinks. It's you who have to live with the name. It's already making your stressed.

[BelleateSebastian]

Tracey Smythington-Barlow

[TracyBarlow]

Woah woah woah. It's a beautiful name and what do you mean 'undesirable.' I've only murdered one person.

[twofingerstoGideon]

There is another option: only socialise with people who don't watch soap operas. I have no idea who any of the people mentioned above are!

[BelleateSebastian]

Whats your middle name? could you use that? maybe just LTB!!!

[plummyjam]

I never changed my name. I don't even think the in laws know. On official paperwork I'm plummyjam but I get Christmas cards etc to mrs plummyjamshusband. My DD has husband's surname but it doesn't bother me. If I was you and really wanted to take my husband's name though I'd just roll with it. It'll be a talking point for years to come! What is it anyway??

[ArsenicStew]

Seriously OP, just keep your name.

Changing both would be like entering witness protection rather than marrying.

[crocodiledundeelady]

Hee! Love that comment TracyBarlow!

[Shande80]

I work with the public too so it's going to be something that gets mentioned all the time. It would be easier if I worked in an office with the same people all the time as they'd (hopefully!) get bored of it.

Middle name is a possibility I suppose.

[MrSheen]

Just keep your name. Unless your ILs insist on calling you by both names, and you refuse to answer, then they aren't going to be affected by it. I'd rather not have the same name as his ex. If he wants the same name then he'll have to change his.

[IHeartChristmasMoomies]

Just don't change your name. I regret changing mine.

[SwedishEdith]

He won't change his name? Well, don't change yours then. And now you're even considering changing your first and surname.

[WhyYouGottaBeSoRude]

"Today 15:28 Shande80

He won't change his name."

Whats good for the goose... Why should you if he wouldnt even consider it?

[IfNotNowThenWhen]

I like the name Tracy. Makes me think of the philadephia story/high society. What's your current last name? You really should only ever change your surname if it's a better name.

[pharoahinthebath]

Andrewofgg I also knew a Wendy House - wonder if she's the same one!

[angeltulips]

I really have no idea why you'd even consider changing your name in these circumstances. And changing your first name too? You're getting married, not changing your identity!

[MrSheen]

I knew a Wendy House too!!!! I assumed she was married for years but she wasn't.

There can't be 3 of them

[RufusTheReindeer]

My surname is that of a famous Coronation street charactor

For years whenever I have give my surname people have said is that as in ?????

Thank god the charactor has gone now and it's only older people 40+ who say it to me now

[CheeseBuster]

Sorry but if he won't even consider changing his I'd never change mine. Also I have no idea who Tracey Barlow is and I'd guess a lot of people don't unless they are telly addicts.

[pearlgirl]

I' m another one who knew a Wendy House when I was at college in the late 80s - I wonder if it is the same one.

[XiCi]

I don't understand why anyone would change their name on getting married. I didn't and most of my friends haven't either
If it's that important to you why not double barrel. Changing your first name as well seems really extreme and I bet your friends and family would still call you Tracey.

[XiCi]

Also, if he won't consider changing his name why should he expect you to?

[MrSheen]

Pretty sure Tracy Barlow has been in since birth, and she's about my age, so on TV 2/3/4 times a week for getting on for 40 years.

She did spend a few years upstairs playing her tapes, but she is very well known. It's like lots of people have heard of Phil Mitchell but have never seen Eastenders.

[PhaedraIsMyName]

His first wife still has his name? FFS that would be more reason not to change it!

Exactly. What a non-problem. Keep your name. What on earth has it to do with his family?

You say he won't change his name - why should he and why should you?