To take his last name or to not take his last name.
That’s the question many couples have talked about, as well as argued about, before jumping the broom. It’s also a topic that landed on Chrissy Teigen‘s Twitter page on Thursday (March 22), who of course is married to the singer John Legend.
The conversation started when one lady seemed to have a problem with women keeping their last name after marriage.
“I’d really like to hear the reasoning behind women who won’t take their husband’s last name,” wrote someone name Maami.
“My husband didn’t even take his last name,” Teigen replied.
For those who didn’t know, Legend’s real last name is Stephens, and he was given his stage name by the poet J. Ivy, who thought he sounded like one of the old-school legendary greats. It’s a story that the singer has told many times before.
After Teigen’s tweet, some guy named Chad stepped into the debate, but the supermodel quickly shut him down.
“Why is your example relevant to people who live in the real world?” the guy wrote.
“Because it doesn’t have to be, Chad,” Teigen struck back. “I can say whatever the f— I want without Chad’s permission, Chad.”
The debate didn’t end there, however, and others chimed in with their passionate views. There were some men who said they didn’t care if their wife took their last name or not, they were just happy she said yes to their proposal.
But there were some women who said they were fine with changing their name and didn’t see it as a big deal at all.
“Why do you keep asking this stupid question?” one woman wrote. “The kids take their daddy’s name, like I took my daddy’s name.”
“My daughter is getting daddy’s name, not mommy’s,” another woman tweeted. “I’m okay with that. Last names just don’t matter.”
Another point was made by a female author and her question was: If she built a successful career under her last name, why should she attach those accomplishments to her husband’s name after marriage?
I'd really like to hear the reasoning behind women who won't take their husband's last name
— Zero-H-T (@_MercyFul) August 20, 2017
my husband didn’t even take his last name? https://t.co/BMo6OsgcVv
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 22, 2018
Why is your example relevant to people who live in the real world?
— Chad Young Lad (@ChadYoungLad) March 22, 2018
Because it doesn’t have to be, chad. I can say whatever the fuck I want without chad’s permission, chad.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 22, 2018
I feel attacked for taking my husbands last name now lmao
— Cookie Secrets (@Grahmie) March 22, 2018
the best part is, I am not anti-taking the last name at all. I was going to. just never got around to it and it isn’t even the name he goes by. it wasn’t some grand statement not to. I just don’t see how the choice affects anyone else – why do people care so much!
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 22, 2018
Professional women have a different issue because famous women, or even docs or lawyers, built a career on their maiden names, so that makes sense.
— (((Jax))) (@JackieBlue4u) March 22, 2018
I was just happy my wife agreed to marry me. I didn’t care if she took my name or not.
— Dr. Bourbonstein 🥃 (@DrBourbonstein) March 22, 2018
— invisiblepen (@invisiblepen) March 22, 2018
A name does change the level of commitment in my opinion because that’s the truest form of self a person has and in marriage you becoming one, so therefore you give up, sacrifice and merge last names as a token of permanent commitment to the marriage. Continued..
— T R U E (@_ORIGINS) March 22, 2018
Then the man can also take my name, right? If we are going by your ridiculous reasons. We’ll still be one.
— Van Goghgeous (@janetsheerowh) March 22, 2018
The man is the “Head of the Household” and not in any dominant, over-bearing, women mistreating kind of way. Simply in a spiritual sense, the man is who carries the bloodline of the family name with him. So the woman joins into that, to give birth and continue the family name.
— T R U E (@_ORIGINS) March 22, 2018
Marriage isn’t that casual. Pick your last name carefully maybe?
— loyal (@royalloyaltii) March 22, 2018
