Psychological impact of women's name change at marriage: Literature review and implications for further study

Abstract

Because the custom of wives assuming husbands' surnames at marriage is now in question, we reviewed the published research on the psychological significance of names and name changes. Although names and name changes are relevant psychological variables, little data pertain to the implications of a woman's changing or retaining her surname at marriage. Research on such implications would have relevance for individual personality development, marital and family relationships, and social and cultural systems.