As a Hispanic I have found the act of a wife taking a husband’s name to be nonconforming. It is not typical of our culture. If I were living in Puerto Rico or any Hispanic country my son’s name would have been Christopher R. Muñiz Caraballo, having Mileidis’ and mine last names. Hence, the long names we Hispanics have that are often the subject of many jokes, lol. 

Nevertheless, I have come to the conclusion that when a woman takes a man’s last name something breathtaking happens. When a woman takes her husband’s last name it means that she transfers from one kingdom to another. It means that her husband, not her father, is now responsible for her “provision, protection, and overall spiritual guidance” (Evans, KM, p.112). It means that taking a new name is more that changing a social security card or a driver’s license. It means that men have been giving the colossal responsibility to watch, care, and nurture them to the extent where she feels at peace and trust that he can do it.

Yet, the problem seems to be that men “often give their name without knowing what giving a names means.” This confusion by the male will undoubtedly bring confusion to the relationship and to the wife because she will be confused as to who he is and who she is in him. 


Men, step up your game and lead your home knowing the God given responsibility you have been entrusted with. Remember that "the greatest thing that a man can do to a woman is to lead her closer to God than to himself." And as my friend Rubén A Torres Terán would say, “Ladies do not settle for anything else.” What an honorable responsibility to have.