Divorced - change back to maiden name?

I’m widowed, not divorced, and have kept my married name out of sheer laziness. I would much rather have my maiden name, although it is difficult to spell, but it is distinctive. I didn’t really want to change my name on marriage, but it was easier - laziness again! My DIL has kept her maiden name, I’m glad to say, and (after a bit of arguing) the children have my son’s name. It doesn’t seem to cause any problems.

When you think about it, it does seem a very strange idea that you should take someone else’s name in any situation.

I kept my married name for the same reason as the OP as I wanted to have the same name as my children. They too are both over 30 now, but I don't want to change now. My maiden name was difficult to pronounce and spell so caused me a lot of issues, though even with a simple one I get errors. I did consider going double barrelled when I married as my name was unusual, but the two surnames didn't sound right together so I simply took my husband's name. The name isn't lost as my brother has two sons.

Changed mine back when I changed jobs, which coincided with need for a new passport.

Sparklefizz

GSM Officialdom (banks, pension providers, DWP, Land Registry and the Probate Registry etc) will insist on seeing a Deed Poll.

I didn't have to have a Deed Poll because I reverted to my maiden name and had my Birth Certificate to prove it. I was told I only needed a Deed Poll if I decided on a completely different name.

Deed poll - not me!
Fortunately I had my teenager passport (so there was no problem getting a new one in my original name) and I'd been with my bank (and pension) since before I was married, so I just told them I was reverting.

Of course, why wouldn't you...

My daughter has just divorced after 17 years ….but then she never ‘changed her name’ anyway. 🤷🏻‍♀️….you all do know it’s NOT obligatory …don’t you!? I never did either . Bit archaic.

…my grandchildren have their dads name ….they’ve got to have someone’s.

I changed back to my maiden name in 1997 or s0, a few years after my divorce; it's a big hassle. You have to tell the bank - I went there first, gave them copies of my married and my new (old) signature, then took copies of their letter of acceptance to the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, old uncle Tom Cobley and all.................I didn't get round to everything until 2003 when I moved house. The utilities didn't care whose name was on the cheque as long as it was the right amount. When I remarried later, I kept my maiden name - so much easier - but now am Ms. rather than Miss.

I kept my married name after I was divorced.
I rather liked the name and as my son was young I wanted us to have the same surname.
I also kept Mrs.
I didn’t want to go back to Miss and never like Ms.
It’s a personal choice.

When I divorced I kept my married name (as I quite liked it) but changed my title to Miss - no deed poll needed for that! When I remarried, I did consider staying with my married name I took on my husband's surname (and went back to Mrs) but decided to use my maiden name as another second name and had to do a deed poll for that. It does mean that I, my husband, and the 2 children we had together have a different surname to my eldest daughter (from my first marriage) but, in the end, it's just a name and doesn't change the person you are. My eldest is getting married soon anyway so her name will change so if I had retained my first married name, it would have been even more complicated.

Saggi

My daughter has just divorced after 17 years ….but then she never ‘changed her name’ anyway. 🤷🏻‍♀️….you all do know it’s NOT obligatory …don’t you!? I never did either . Bit archaic.

Totally agree with you that it's a bit archaic to change your name just because you marry. I did take my first husband's name as it makes mine an alliteration and is lovelier than my maiden name. I've remarried and kept it.

I reverted to my maiden name once my child was 16. No cost I was advised to send a letter through post to myself addressed in new name and of course notify all authorities. no cost. that was in 1990

Friends in other parts of Europe find our tradition of women giving up their birth name on marriage odd. Family historians will find it more difficult because women disappear

A lot of young women never change their name on marriage one of my DDs still keeps her own professionally. The trouble comes when children come along, but you have not got this problem.
Do what makes you happy, it's you that has to live with a name you maybe don't like or brings back unhappy memories.

I went from my first married name to my second married name. and then back to my first married name, to be back the same as my 3 children's name, plus the name is nice and links in nicely with my first name

I couldn't bear to keep my ex's name so went back to my maiden name, its is a faff but worth it I reckon. The only thing is if someone asks you your name replying 'I'm not sure' is a bit embarrassing so either change them all at once or keep a list!

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When I got divorced, I wanted a completely fresh start so took a new name. Changing details was easier because things were not done on the internet then. I was able to go into the bank etc with my documents and inform everyone in person.

These days too much is done on the internet or over the phone and it actually makes things more difficult.

Reported John, old post revived by spam

I kept my married name because I like it and certainly don't hate him. I also wanted to keep the same name as my sons, and although they are now both adults I see no reason to change it, plus I've had the name for 40 something years so it's staying.

My friend reverted to her maiden name after two divorces when she moved house to a different part of the country. Simply one more of a set of documents to be completed, and as no-one knew her by either of her married names it was easy to start afresh. Her maiden name is pleasant, uncommon but easy to spell, and it is how I always think of her anyway as I have known her since we were eleven.

Too many formalities. If you change your surname you have to make sure your passport, utilitility bills, driving licence, health insurance, bank accounts etc. etc. etc. all are in the same name, and it is probably advisable to check with a solicitor if any will you have made in your present name is still valid if you change your name.

Obviously, if your marriage really was horrible you may want rid of your former husband's name, but otherwise, is it really worth all the bother`?

I agree with Grandmafrill. I kept my married name. It is a simple one, but people can neither spell nor pronounce it. I quite like it, and since I was still working when I divorced, this was the easiest option. I still wear my wedding ring, mainly because I cannot get it off, and it has been there since my divorce in 1988.

I also do not like ms I much prefer mrs.

I kept my name because I had children, but I remarried. If you don't want your name change it when the children fly the nest

I changed back to my maiden name as soon as I separated from my first husband. I remarried and my children changed their surname to my present husbands when they could legally do so at 18.