Bible Questions & Answers Archive 

Should a Woman Take Her Husbands Name?
By Dr. Max D. Younce
0010

 Question 

Is it wrong when in marriage the wife does not take her husband's last name, but is identified by her maiden name throughout their marriage?

 Answer 

Yes, it is wrong for a woman to do this, as it is nothing more than following the Women's Liberation philosophy. One major problem that surfaces, what shall the children's last name be, the wife's or the husband's?

The cause of this new trend lies in rebellion against God's Word, the Bible. You see, God instituted marriage with Adam and Eve and set the principles for all mankind thereafter.

In Genesis 2:24, God states that, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be ONE FLESH." Since this is impossible, physically, it is therefore referring to the husband and wife being identified by ONE NAME. This is further made clear by Genesis 2:23, "...she shall be called WOMAN because she was taken out of man." Here, the Hebrew for "man" is "iysh" (masculine) and the Hebrew for woman" is "ish-shah. The "ish" is taken from Adam's name and the "shah" is the feminine in Hebrew. Therefore, being Adam's wife she has taken Adam's name.

God further addresses them as Mr. and Mrs. Adam in Genesis 5:2., "Male and female created he them: and blessed them, and called THEIR name ADAM."

I went into a business place sometime back where a preacher's wife was working. I addressed her as "Mrs. (husband's last name)" and she did not respond. I did this two more times without being acknowledged. Finally I said, "Are you not so-and-so’s wife?" She then answered and stated her maiden name to me. They have no children at this time, but if they did, I wonder if she would want the children to take her name since she refused to take her husband's name?

Human wisdom, in lieu of God's, will always lead to rebellion of God's authority, even in marriage. God's warning is found in Colossians 2:8..."Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain (empty) deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ."

This woman, a pastor's wife, is telling you, by her example, that it is all right to do as you want, in spite of the prohibition of God's Word.