So I'm getting married in a few months and would like to change my last name to that of my husband's ("Jones"). However, I have a series of publications and am known professionally by my maiden name ("Smith"). Can I change my name legally to Jones but still go by Smith at the hospital and in my research articles? Can I keep my medical license in the name of Smith? I really don't want to hyphenate, largely because our names are both very long and cumbersome.

Lots of women do this... not sure how it works for legalities, you might check with your state board.

I got married after my first year of med school and changed my name. My maiden name is really easy to pronounce and I always took it for granted. My married last name is practically impossible to pronounce correctly, EVERYONE mispronounces it, and I hate correcting people. I am seriously contemplating practicing under my maiden name because it really bothers me. I heard that a lot of women are choosing to do this as well.

I would say don't officially take your husbands name. I kept my maiden name for professional reasons. My children all have my husbands name and when it comes to school and my childrens activities I just go by my husbands name. Doesn't bother me, just makes things easier. Plus it keeps your home life private as your patients don't know my husbands name and therefore there is no chance of anyone finding my home phone or address.

I have a friend who uses her maiden name professionally and her husband's name personally. It seems to work fine for her. I kept my maiden name for both. My kids have my husband's last name. It hasn't been a major issue yet (my daughter is 7). I do have to explain that my husband and I have different last names occasionally but it hasn't been a bother to me. I'm an only child and I feel very strongly about keeping my maiden name, so it might bother the average person more than in bothers me. Do keep in mind that if you use the two name approach (one profesionally and another personally) that you will have to document this on every board and license application,etc.

I am legally hyphenated, but use my maiden name professionally. It's sort of a pain, but much easier to hear my Italian maiden name than husband's generic name. Since I'm hyphenated, the people who need to know figure it out pretty quickly.

I don't think you can legally change your name to your husband's then go by your maiden name at work. Your licenses and boards and everything will be all messed up. You can keep your maiden name at work then go by your husband's informally socially if needed. Or just keep your maiden name. Most of my friends from residency just kept their maiden name. I changed mine on everything to my husband's and that has worked out well. Either way, I think it is better to have only one last name.

I think you should check it out with your state board. I faced similar issues as well. In my state it was fine.

-Devi

I got married during internship. I tried hyphenating my name afterward during residency but found it cumbersome (I didn't have time to legally change my social security to the hyphenated name). I didn't want to take my husband's name as he is a physician as well. When I got out into practice I just kept my maiden name. Legally everything's through my maiden name and socially I will use my husband/children's name. Works for me!

I'm in the same boat - kept my maiden name, go by Mrs "x" at kids' school, etc. No paperwork, no legal hassles, no big deal.

And I totally agree on the privacy point - noone can find me under my husband's name who doesn't know the details...