A woman dropping her parental surname and using her husband’s last name post marriage is a tradition in various cultures across the world. There has been a lot of debate regarding the regressiveness of such a tradition with many people advocating for its discontinuation. There have also been many who called for equal participation for such a tradition, asking men to take their wife’s last name.
In a welcome and indeed rare incident, one guy from San Francisco named Ryan Morrison has taken his wife’s last name – Miyoshi. He now uses the name ‘Ryan Miyoshi’.
Ryan took to Twitter to post a picture of his new identity card and wrote, “I’m getting married tomorrow and taking my wife’s name.”
Hey y'all — I'm getting married tomorrow and taking my wife's name. Had to make a rebrand joke, srry.
See thread for why I'm taking her name 👇 pic.twitter.com/y8MGIVi5LS
— Ryan Miyoshi (@ryryjmo) August 25, 2020
In the following tweets, he went on to explain why he took such a step. He revealed that his father-in-law doesn’t have siblings and has 2 daughters. Hence, there are not many people who can carry on the Miyoshi family name.
Long story short, my grandpa was a priest, wasn't allowed to get married, and had a secret family. As a way to help keep this all hidden, the kids were all given the last name Morrison — as the story goes — chosen by opening a phonebook and pointing at random.
— Ryan Miyoshi (@ryryjmo) August 25, 2020
On the other hand, my wife's last name comes from her Japanese father, and can be traced back for hundreds and hundreds of years. Since my father-in-law doesn't have siblings, and my wife only has a sister, there's not a whole lot of people to carry on the Miyoshi name.
— Ryan Miyoshi (@ryryjmo) August 25, 2020
I figured her name is the better choice out of the two, so why not! As of tomorrow afternoon, I will no longer be Ryan Morrison, and instead: Ryan Miyoshi
— Ryan Miyoshi (@ryryjmo) August 25, 2020
Another fun fact: The Miyoshi's have been living in California for more generations than my own family has been in the US!
— Ryan Miyoshi (@ryryjmo) August 25, 2020
People on the internet lauded Ryan’s decision! Many took to the comment section to narrate their own incidents or from their family where men have taken their wife’s last name.
This is super cool and very Japanese. My great grandfather took his wife’s last name (after his first wife died) because her family’s name was not going to be passed on. This was early 1900s in Fresno. Respect 🙏. Welcome to the family brother.
— Grant Nishio (@gnishio8) August 25, 2020
My husband wanted to take my name & the reactions were truly eye-opening/misogynist. We ended up w/ separate names b/c I didn't want to complicate our immigration process but it's still complicated, e.g. kids have his name. Well-done for breaking down barriers & huge congrats! 👏
— Cassie McDaniel (@cassiemc) August 25, 2020
I am going to get married in a few months and when I spoke to my fiance's family that I want to retain my maiden surname, they made such a huge issue out of it. My partner is super chill about it though.
I really dont understand why is it so unacceptable in the society.— Raveena Gohil (@GohilRaveena) August 25, 2020
Brilliant. My fiancee's surname is Yu and is one of four female children. Mine is Smith-Stubbs as my parents joined theirs. I've pitched Stubbs-Yu or Yu-Stubbs. She's not convinced as she thinks it sounds like a sentence. But I like the idea of names surviving and carrying on.
— William Smith-Stubbs 🐨 (@WilliamCStubbs) August 25, 2020
That’s so cool. It makes me sad that you felt the need to explain it to all of the internet, but I’ve heard men get negative attention for taking their wives’ last names. We should support any name changes/not changes. (It’s even cool when couples pick an entirely new last name.)
— Amanda Murphy (@babiescatscode) August 25, 2020
What a great and insightful tweet. It is so true. When we married, my wife kept her last name and I took it. We got a ton of criticism.
— Mark Tyler (@markhtyler59) August 25, 2020
I am taking my wife’s last name. She has a PhD and publications, and does not want to change hers, and I am not attached to mine. People definitely get weird about it, but as more of this do this over time, I am hoping the stigma lessens.
— James (@jamesinbrevity) August 25, 2020
This is lovely! It’s so fun seeing men taking their wives last names becoming more common. 🙌 rad name with a rad story behind it.
— Charli Marie Prangley (@charliprangley) August 25, 2020
Wow, that's amazing! Wish you both the absolute best and fulfilling relationship! Congrats! I think you taking your wife's name is great too! Cheers!!
— Noah Raskin 🤙🏼 (@noahraskin_) August 25, 2020
If my and bf get hitched we'll revert to his mother's maiden name. His last name is from his adopted dad who he hasn't got any contact with, so there isn't any emotional attachment. His grandad with the maiden name fought in WW1 and WW2 so we'll take that instead.
— Ray Grimshaw 🐝🌹♍ (@HeySunnyRay) August 25, 2020
I don’t think it’s right for a woman to lose her last name because of marriage, if she choose to fine but compelling her under whatever guise is wrong.
— Time Bello (@Timelessness) August 25, 2020
Women for generations have been forced to see their family names disappear due to such traditions. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a man changing his surname post-marriage and shattering glass ceilings!