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From: amigo2@ihuxq.UUCP (John Hobson)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Naming
Message-ID: <629@ihuxq.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 10-Feb-84 11:32:21 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxq.629
Posted: Fri Feb 10 11:32:21 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 11-Feb-84 08:25:27 EST
References: <3882@gatech.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 27

Amy Lapwing says:

>>   My point is simply this:  we should all feel that we have a choice
>>   in our name.  Legally I believe this is so:  you are who you say
>>   you are.  Therefore, don't be overly concerned with what your
>>   name should be.  If you're about to get married, you and your
>>   intended spouse should discuss the name issue:  will the family
>>   members all carry the same name; will the parents have different
>>   names; will the children have different names.  The choice you
>>   make has no intrinsic importance.  It is only important that
>>   you like your name.

One point to add.  In England, one's legal name is one's first
name(s), including any "middle" names.  That is why the marriage
ceremony in the Book of Common Prayer says "Do you, first name, take
first name, here present, as..."  Last names may be freely assumed
to be anything you want, as long as there is no intent to defraud. 
This was started in the Middle Ages, when last names were more a
matter of custom than anything else, and it was continued so as to
make it easy for illegitimate children to get the name of their
father.  (I'm not saying I approve, I'm just telling how it is.)

				John Hobson
				AT&T Bell Labs
				Naperville, IL
				(312) 979-0193
				ihnp4!ihuxq!amigo2