Yan Nigeria
A name holds significant importance, symbolizing history, memory, identity, and legacy. It is more than just a word; it represents a person’s footprint in time, whispered in boardrooms, and shouted on playgrounds. Changing a name can be a complex process, both legally and bureaucratically, in various contexts. In Western and African societies, the hurdles of altering a name post-divorce can be overwhelming as reported by Vanguard News on 14 June, 2025.
In the United States, reverting to a maiden name involves court proceedings, legal fees, and paperwork. Similarly, in Nigeria, changing a name requires updating passports, bank documents, academic records, and other essential documents. Despite these challenges, many divorced women choose to retain their married surname. For them, it’s not about clinging to their ex-husband but about holding onto the identity and legacy they’ve built..….CONTINUE READING>>>>>
Tina Turner and Diane von Fürstenberg are examples of women who kept their married names after divorce. They didn’t do it out of sentimentality but for professional reasons. The name had become synonymous with their brand and legacy. In Africa, names carry even more weight, symbolizing place, class, and belonging. Women like Kikelomo Akanda and Connie Ferguson have kept their married names due to professional and public identity reasons.
In Nigeria, women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Folorunsho Alakija have built their reputation and legacy around their married names. Changing their names could impact their professional credibility. The decision to keep or change a name is deeply personal and strategic. However, societal expectations often reduce it to mere sentimentality.
The presence of children also plays a significant role in a woman’s decision to retain her married name. It provides stability and continuity for the children, and changing it could lead to bureaucratic complications. Many women have kept their married names for the sake of their children, like Angelina Jolie and Kim Kardashian.
The process of changing a name post-divorce can be an administrative nightmare, involving updating various documents and facing potential professional consequences. It’s a bureaucratic crucifixion that many women avoid. The deeper question is why society insists on questioning a woman’s decision regarding her name.
Cultural pressure adds to the complexity, expecting women to conform to traditional norms. In many African communities, a woman’s identity is expected to bend permanently with marriage. The idea that a woman’s achievements are tied to her husband’s name is archaic and violent in its subtlety.
Ultimately, the decision to keep or change a name is about agency and identity. Both choices are valid and deserve respect. A name represents legacy, labor, loss, love, and most importantly, choice. Women should be allowed to make this decision without judgment or societal pressure.….CONTINUE READING>>>>>
