# Odd Last Name: Would You/Have You Changed Yours? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 9, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637 "2016-02-09T18:59:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/21 "2016-02-10T15:16:53Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > Nope. More along the lines of Gilligan, but not that. Not Clampett or Addams, either. How’s the Munster Koach running? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/22 "2016-02-10T15:57:47Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I have a hyphenated surname that I wish wasn’t, because I only go by the last name colloquially, but the full surname legally. It was my Dad who invented this unnecessary hyphenation, to make us seem fancy. As most of the things I sign up for require ID, I have to use my passport name for these things, and that means I get mail and notices under “K-P” even though everyone knows my last name as “P”. > > Changing it would not make any difference, as legally my passport has to still have my birth certificate name, with a list of AKAs and documentation to prove it. It adds complication instead of removing it. > > My name is not embarrassing or weird, though nobody ever pronounces it right, it’s just unwieldy. Did you ever try to get a passport just using the name P? It is, or at least used to be, possible. The name on my birth certificate is not the same as the one on my passport. The only thing I had to do was get two people who knew me under both names to swear I was the same person. As it happened, the only two people who did were my parents, since my father changed his name (informally, not legally) before I started school. My father died five years later; I don’t know what I would have done then. Your story reminds me of physicist Murray Gellmann, who changed his name to Gell-Mann. His kids must love him for that. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/23 "2016-02-10T16:36:00Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I knew a Fucks who changed it to Fuchs. Can’t blame him in the least. And my family changed Fuchs to Fox - partly due to the similarity in words, partly because after WWI and WWII they didn’t want their kids to face anti-German sentiment (which was fine when they were in very German communities in Minnesota, but turned out to be a thing when they moved to the Twin Cities). ---
**Author:** ![funky\_little\_lee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@funky\_little\_lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/funky_little_lee)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/24 "2016-02-10T16:40:52Z")
I once met a guy whose last name was Frankenstein. He said his wife not only declined to take the name but insisted that their children have her surname. “It was an executive decision,” he said with some amusement. And right after that, “And the really ironic thing is, I’m a doctor.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Barrett\_Bonden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5e9695/32.png) [@Barrett\_Bonden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barrett_Bonden)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/25 "2016-02-10T19:11:11Z")
> [@funky\_little\_lee](#): > > I once met a guy whose last name was Frankenstein. He said his wife not only declined to take the name but insisted that their children have her surname. “It was an executive decision,” he said with some amusement. > > And right after that, “And the really ironic thing is, I’m a doctor.” 😃 “No really, it’s pronounced Frohnkensteen.” ---
**Author:** ![JcWoman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jcwoman/32/2889_2.png) [@JcWoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JcWoman)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/26 "2016-02-10T19:43:53Z")
I know a lady who married a man with the surname Hummer. She took his name as a hyphenated addition to her own. Not the choice I would have made. What lady who is not a sex worker wants to be known as Susy Hummer? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/27 "2016-02-10T19:47:55Z")
I’m okay with my 10-letter name Nottingham, but my nephew shortened it all the way to No, like James Bond’s doctor. I think if my name was merely odd, I’d leave it alone. My big brother went to high school with a cute girl named Fraundorfer, and he laughed when she was introduced to her. He could see right then, he was never going to date her. I would have changed that one. Even if my parents were proud to be Lipschitzes, or Embezzlers, I would have left the dock on that one. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/28 "2016-02-10T19:53:31Z")
We just played at a wedding and the brides last name was Lazorchick. . . I just wished her groom had the name “Frickin” so it could have been the “Frickin-Lazorchick” wedding. But, I’m sure it was pronounced “La-Zore-Chick” or something like that. . . Eileen Frickin-Lazorchick. . . that would be a cool name. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/29 "2016-02-10T20:29:58Z")
If my name was more than just odd, yes, I’d get it changed as soon as possible without a second thought. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/30 "2016-02-10T21:04:19Z")
Even relatively ordinary names can pose some difficulty. I once dated a woman with the last name Kirsch, who said that she was inclined to hyphenate when married. She was a bit troubled when I told her to [avoid](http://www.cafepress.com/+kershplat+magnets) any man named Platt. > [@Shakester](#): > > I share my rare surname with a very well-known fictional family. It’s kind of an arse-pain because people like to make a big deal about it and occasionally refuse to believe that it’s (a) a real name, and (b) _my_ real name. Nice to meet you, Mr. Incredible. 😉 > [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > I think if I had been born with the name Kuntz, I’d consider changing it if I were going to have children. It gets worse as time goes on. One generation hyphenates with the wrong man, they have daughters, and then you’re stuck with the Small-Kuntz sisters. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/31 "2016-02-10T21:24:32Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I have a friend whose last name is Belcher. A bit unfortunate, and I imagine she got teased about it a lot as a child. My aunt’s husband was named Belcher. As you can tell, I’ve kept my unusual last name. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/32 "2016-02-11T01:13:05Z")
I don’t have a weird name, although when I was a kid comments along the line of “hey, are you related to that currently-famous athlete who spells his name differently and is a completely different ethnicity?” got old. > [@Jennshark](#): > > Last night I watched a TV show that starred actors with the last names of “Belcher,” “Butz,” and “Weiner” and it got me thinking about last names. Lots of Weiners pronounce it why-ner, and they’re not being prudish. That’s closer to the original pronunciation (more like vye-ner). A different surname is “W **ie** ner” which **is** wee-ner/vee-ner. > [@jtur88](#): > > There are so many fairly common but unfortunate surnames in Newfoundland, that I once know a guy who saved cliplpings from the engagements/marriages page in the newspaper, of liaisons matchng names like Monster-Freake, or Outhouse-Barefoot. [National Lampoon Presents True Facts: the Big Book](http://www.amazon.com/National-Lampoon-Presents-True-Facts/dp/0809235595) compiles lots of these. IIRC one announced the marriage of a couple along the lines of Dick-Kuntz. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > My wife’s maiden name was DeMent. When we became engaged, I told her that I would have no issue with her keeping her maiden name if she wanted. She replied that she couldn’t wait to change her name – not that she wasn’t proud of her family, but she had gotten so much teasing about it over the years, that she had no affection for the name itself any longer. Aww. That puts her in company with Iris DeMent, and that’s pretty good company. > [@the\_diego](#): > > For personal/family security reasons, or for professional and business considerations. One professional basketball player in our country was named Luke Dacula. Every time he held the ball, the fun-loving audience would chant “Awoooo…” so he changed his family name to ‘Dator.’ I don’t get it? The sound makes me think werewolf, not Dracula. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/33 "2016-02-11T01:17:06Z")
I used to know a lady who introduced herself as Margo K, and I thought it was Kaye, as in Danny. Everybody else thought so, too. At her wedding, I met her parents: Mr. & Mrs. Klotz. I believe she had the name-change paperwork in the mail before she left on her honeymoon. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/34 "2016-02-11T02:25:20Z")
I dated a gal with the last name Kuntz. It came from her ex. She hated the name enough she considered not marrying the guy years earlier. She said it was better than her maiden name, Dick. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/35 "2016-02-11T03:03:36Z")
My maternal grandmother’s maiden name was Koonce, IIRC. I might have the spelling wrong. I acquired a very rare (but not embarrassing) last name by marriage. It has been my name for many years now, so I am keeping it. It is something of an icebreaker when I introduce myself, as it is a name that lends itself to several jokes, all of them mild. My birth name was not common, but inoffensive. I saw a name the other day that seemed unfortunate: Raper. That would be a dealbreaker ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/36 "2016-02-11T05:01:45Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > I dated a gal with the last name Kuntz. It came from her ex. She hated the name enough she considered not marrying the guy years earlier. She said it was better than her maiden name, Dick. It sounds to me like they were made for each other. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/37 "2016-02-11T05:35:52Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > I dated a gal with the last name Kuntz. It came from her ex. She hated the name enough she considered not marrying the guy years earlier. She said it was better than her maiden name, Dick. This sounds like a Judd Apatow movie waiting to happen. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/38 "2016-02-11T07:28:53Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t get it? The sound makes me think werewolf, not Dracula. We’ll have to assume both the count and the werewolf are to be found in the same outdoor setting at night; with mist on the ground, a bright moon above, and a dog or wolf howling in the distance. It’s not practical for basketball fans to play a specific Dracula theme song, like The Count’s organ music in Sesame Street, or the Moonlight Sonata. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/39 "2016-02-11T12:01:16Z")
Not weird but I know people with extremely common names like Jones and they get tired of being confused with others. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637/40 "2016-02-11T13:51:33Z")
Some cousins had the traditional dutch name of “Ennema” back in the old country. They held onto it for a few decades in the US before changing it. Good move on their part, IMHO. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-last-name-would-you-have-you-changed-yours/745637.md?page=3)