Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxq.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!ihnp4!ihuxq!amigo2 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