# Naming and surname

**How do we choose the baby's name and surname?**

How you will choose your baby's name and last name: one parent's surname, hyphenated, both, or a new one, and whether the given name honors someone.

In short: Parents choose between 6 main approaches: Surname: one parent's; Hyphenated; Both as separate names; New. Given name: family or honor name; Wholly new; shared early; Kept secret. Evidence: your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide. Best settled: during pregnancy.

- Area: Pregnancy, birth and arrival
- Evidence: Your call
- Best settled: During pregnancy
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/pregnancy-birth-and-arrival--naming-and-surname

## Naming and surname: what are the options?

1. **Surname: one parent's**: The baby takes one parent's last name.
2. **Hyphenated**: The baby's last name joins both of yours with a hyphen.
3. **Both as separate names**: The baby has both last names, unhyphenated.
4. **New. Given name: family or honor name**: You choose a new last name; and the first name honors a relative or tradition.
5. **Wholly new; shared early**: You choose a first name with no family history, and tell people before the birth.
6. **Kept secret**: You keep the name private until the baby is born.

## Naming and surname: what does the evidence say?

**Your call.** No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide.

no outcome research gathered; courts flag the child's name and what the child calls other adults

Sources:

- [Maryland Courts](https://www.courts.state.md.us/sites/default/files/import/family/pdfs/mdparentingplanpacket.pdf)

## What else is worth knowing?

A name carries family, culture and identity, and the two of you may feel differently about tradition. The last name is a separate decision from the first name. Agreeing how you will decide helps if relatives have strong opinions.

## Questions to ask each other

- How important is it that the baby shares a name with each of us?
- Are there family names or traditions we want to honor, or avoid?
- How will we handle it if our families have strong opinions?

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General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=pregnancy-birth-and-arrival&topic=pregnancy-birth-and-arrival--naming-and-surname