Married to your surname? 26% of women are planning on keeping theirs

Lots of people are ditching traditions when it comes to modern weddings and marriage - one of which quickly losing favour is the tradition of taking your partner’s surname. In a recent survey carried out by Pandora UK, almost nine in ten (88%) women said they think that attitudes to married names are changing in 2026 ¹. 

When asked, over a quarter (26%) of unmarried women said they’d keep their last name if they got married, whilst less than half (45%) said they’d take their partner’s name. 

This is indicative of the shift in opinion in recent years, as when married women were asked, only a sixth (17%) of women said they kept their maiden names when they got married, whilst the majority (78%) took their partner’s surname, with just 4% choosing to double-barrel their last name with their significant other. 

Almost two-thirds of women said they felt an attachment to their surname, with nearly a quarter (23%) of those who took their partner’s last name saying they’d like to honour their maiden name in some way - whether with a piece of personalised jewellery, some artwork or a tattoo. 

It’s becoming a trend for brides-to-be to mark their maiden name - in fact, jewellery retailer Pandora has seen an increase in people choosing to have a piece of jewellery engraved with their family name. Emma Fox, jewellery expert at Pandora has shared her thoughts on the trend: 

“It’s a beautiful way to celebrate marriage as the start of a new chapter. For many people, taking a new surname is a meaningful shift - leaving behind your family name to create a new future with your partner. An engraved pendant or a charm for a bracelet featuring your maiden name can be a touching keepsake of that connection. 

“Engraved jewellery makes a thoughtful wedding day gift from parents or loved ones to mark the occasion. We’re also seeing more sisters choosing coordinating pieces to commemorate the name they grew up with, turning it into a sentimental bonding moment.”

It’s not just changing the name on your passport, for some people, changing their last name feels like a change in identity. Jessica Alderson, relationship expert and co-founder of So Syncd has shared her thoughts on the change in attitudes to surnames in recent years:

“There's a big shift happening in relationships and society more broadly towards female empowerment and equality. Marriage is no longer about a woman stepping into a man's world. Instead, it’s about a partnership between equals and for some people, that looks like both people keeping their names. On top of that, tradition is seen as less important than it once was. A lot of people don’t feel as bound by society’s expectations and are more comfortable making choices that feel right for them. Individuality is something they want to protect, not give up.”

It’s worth speaking to your partner about both the emotional and practical impact of changing your name ahead of the wedding, she explains:

“There are really two broad buckets to cover when it comes to talking about surnames. The first is to understand what it means to each person. That can include things like identity, career, culture, family history and autonomy. The second bucket is the practical realities. This is where you talk about logistics like paperwork, travelling, career implications and potentially future children.”

Whilst some people have strong opinions about the tradition, ensuring your partner is comfortable with their decision is important for your relationship. Jess says:

“The best way to support your partner in making this decision is to really try to understand what their surname means to them because it can represent very different things to different people. So, get curious and create space for an honest conversation without judgment.

“A name itself won't change a relationship but the meaning attached to it does. It can go either way. If one person takes on the other's surname but they aren't truly comfortable with the decision, resentment can build over time. On the other hand, when the choice is talked through openly and both people feel good about it, it can make a couple feel more like a team. There isn’t one objective ‘right’ answer here. It's about what works for each couple.”

For more wedding jewellery inspiration, or to shop engraved jewellery visit the Pandora website.