By Chinyere Abiaziem Reporter, Lagos
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2: 24).
That is the Biblical injunction in Genesis 2 vs. 24. Taking a cue from this, it is mostly expected that when a woman marries, she leaves her parents (including their names) and cleave to her man. Interestingly, this is not so for some women as they still retain their maiden name even after years of marriage.
Of course, women who retain their maiden names, have their reasons for doing so. Some maintain their maiden name to keep their father’s lineage alive, especially where such is an only child.
While some do so for easy identification that is; for people to identify their lineage easily, for some others, it could actually be for conferment, i.e. people according them the respect of belonging to royal lineage.
Some celebrities and other public figures are also commonly known to practice this act.
Sunday Independent spoke with some religious faithful to know whether it is acceptable across the religious faiths for married women to retain their maiden names after tying the nuptial cord.
When asked, some persons did not find it proper for a married woman to retain the father’s name while others were indifferent. Conversely, some did not see it as improper. Find below the excerpt of their responses.
Alfa Abdulwaheed Olowo (An Islamic Scholar)
In the Quaran, what is preferable or better is that a woman bears her father’s name. Reason being that; it was her father that gave birth to her, not the husband.
Secondly, a problem can occur between a couple, with the wife rejected and sent packing. And in the process, she later remarries and bear the new husband’s name. Is that how she will continue changing her surname?
Lastly, civilisation can also be traced to the root cause of women bearing their husband’s name. In essence, the Quaran supports a woman retaining her maiden name.
Rev. P. I.Okwuobi
I feel it is wrong for a married woman to still bear her father’s name. Is the father’s name some sort of magic that attracts fortune? If you are getting married, show some kind of commitment to your husband. There are instances where people who are public figures retain their father’s name.
Though in the Bible, there is no place a woman is cited to bear the husband’s or father’s name. It is just that we grew up seeing women bear their husband’s name; that is how we met it.
Fomzi Rose
If she adds the father’s name in the middle, it’s a different case. Or she is the only child and dont want her father’s name to just go?she can discuss it with her husband.
But my view about it is that it should not be. If you want to use it, it should be at themiddle and the husband’s name comes last to indicate that you are married.
Mrs Taiwo Bello(Nurse)
It all depends on the husband. If he is okay with it, then there’s no problem. I can’t say if it is scripturally backed up. You know in our culture here, when a woman gets married, she changes to her husband’s name. Anyway, it all depends on the couple.”
Lawrence Ogunjemi; “It is not scriptural. As far as I am concerned, I cannot accept it. She is no longer in her father’s house. How can she still be bearing his name? She has to bear my name; that is the proper thing. According to the Bible, it is not right.”
Munachi Peter
“It is cool, there is nothing wrong with a married woman retaining her maiden name. Her father might be a king, while the husband might not be one. So, bearing the husband’s name alone will make her lose her identity, as nobody will be able to trace her to a royal father.”
Deborah Emmanuel
Hmmmm…Well,I don’t think the scripture says anything about it. But since they are now one, she should let go of her surname (submissive part)…If she has to choose between her spouse and parents, she should, without any delay; choose her spouse.
Happiness Gabriel
There is nothing wrong with it, most of them retain their father’s name and also bear their husband’s name.
Emmanuel Adedayo
I will not subscribe to that, because a married woman should be able to identify with her husband totally. Name connotes identity and leaving her parents, she should be able to drop her father’s name for her husband’s.
Precious Danjumbo
It depends, there’s nothing wrong with it. My mum still answers her dad’s name. And also, for some for educational or work purpose. For instance now, if there is a job opportunity and your hubby is not from the state and your dad is from that state, you could be considered.
Bella
It’s cool, I don’t see anything wrong about it.
Prudence Nnaji
It depends on what must have led to that and a mutual understanding between a woman and her hubby. Most prominent women tend to keep their names for fear of recognition. A woman is meant to take her hubby’s name for sure. But for official purposes, they feel it’s safer to retain it.
Chibuzor Oleh
Well! I only know that celebrities bear their husbands name together with their father’s name because when you are known with a particular name, its hard to introduce another one to your fans.So they bear the names together.
Simeon AIozie
I know some women still retain their fathers’ names or rather attach it alongside their husband’s. But biblically, I have not seen such. When you look closely to Gen 2:23 (the first marriage of course), Adam emphatically said, “This is NOW bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman’ for she was taken out of man.” He said NOW, in other words, from the day both were joined, she automatically is wholly the man’s bone or flesh. Therefore, her identity is hidden in the man’s. She assumes a new identity, which she should be addressed with. He even called her ‘woman’ for she was taken out from him, not the parents. That is why they are ONE flesh, not two. I can’t bear two different surnames, the same thing with you. So, how can ONE FLESH bear more than ONE NAME? It is wrong my dear, it wasn’t so from the beginning.
When you check Malachi 2:15, you will still see a validation of the above assertion.
Reuben Okeke
When we give names, it’s a sign of ownership. Same applies to people, animals, etc. When two people get married, the woman answers the man’s name as a sign that she belongs to the man. If she chooses to retain her father’s name, it should be a concession between the couple. The scripture, especially the New Testament is silent on issues like this because it’s not important. All that is important is for all to walk in love.
Robert Uwem
To me, it is very wrong for them to still be using their father’s maiden name because was the man has paid their bride price, the lady belongs to the man fully and no more belongs to the father. Even the Bible too confirm it that a lady will leave the father and mother to a man and they will now become one. So, since they are now one, I think the woman has the right to bear the man’s name and not the father’s name. To me I can never accept that!
But if she’s a working class, and where she’s working doesn’t allow her to change d name, I will try to understand with her.
Cinderella
There is nothing wrong with it, as there is no scriptural stand that proves that is bad.
Uche Okoye
Dear, it is not good; but people see it as fashion.
Ife Fawole
Well, I don’t know, but if her husband is okay with it, then no problem.
Esther
No! You can’t bear your father’s name when you are married; you change your name. I think people that do that are not properly married, in the sense that no bride price was paid.
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