I am in my late 20s. I got married last year and not once did I (or my partner) have any thoughts of changing our last names. I am a researcher and he is an artist, so our names are deeply tied to our work — but I think even if we didn't have the jobs we do, it still would never have crossed my mind. I love being married, but I feel like it should add to my identity, not take away from the one I have built. It just seems so wrong: as a woman, you spend 25–30+ years building a life for yourself, and by signing a piece of paper, that is no longer attached to your name — while your partner gets to stay exactly the same on paper. It seems very backwards to me, and quite contrary to feminist values (especially nowadays, when it really isn't forced).
I know many cultures don't have this tradition, which to me seems like even more of a reason for it to end in 2026. I have lived in the US, Canada, and Switzerland over the last few years, and I am genuinely shocked by how many liberal, independent women in my generation with full careers are still changing their names to their male partners name.
I feel like I have borderline insulted people with my strong opinion on this, so I would love to hear some thoughts — especially from younger feminists who took their partner's name or considered it.