Most women change their last names to their new husband's upon their marriage. What happens if you divorce? Do you keep his name or revert back to your maiden name? Increasingly, women are also choosing a brand new last name.

It's a highly personal choice, with many women choosing to keep their married name. Naturally, this depends on the circumstances of the divorce. There are usually three reasons to keep his surname:

The Kids Have the Same Name

If children were born within the marriage, it's likely they have his surname. This is also called the family name. Many divorced women, especially with younger children, choose to keep the same surname as their children. It avoids confusion at school: imagine the office calling Ms Smith to collect her child, Sam Jones, or receiving correspondence from the school with the wrong names on it. The family name also helps a child to form their identity; having a mother with a different last name may lead to self-esteem issues (Why am I different?)

When I was at school, one of my friends' parents divorced. Her mother remarried and the children took the stepfather's last name. This is also fairly common, again to associate the family name with the mother.

Cost

It costs money and time to change everything back. Mortgages, licenses, credit cards, bank accounts... All need to be changed. You'll need proof of the name change, then you have to wait for approval for the change from each institution. Some women have personalised stationery, plaques on their home or letterbox and name badges at work, all which would need to be changed. Reverting to your maiden name may advertise to colleagues and clients that you're now single- which may draw unwanted attention.

Identity

With your new last name, came a new you. You'd changed from the girl you once were (hence the term 'maiden' name) and you were now in a new family. Does divorce mean you're now that maiden once more? Your married name often goes hand in hand with the mature you. All your adult friends met you as Mrs Smith, that's what they'll keep thinking of you as. There may only be a few people in your town with your name; you like being known and unique.

However, many women are now choosing a different name to that of their parents or their ex-husband. One woman I know of, shortened her married name to become something new. She felt this move was empowering, special and revealed her new self. Being part of her married name, it was also easy to remember for her friends and family. Her children were grown by this time; they chose to keep their full names.

Why do women revert to their maiden name? Usually, it's to make a clean break from their ex-husband. Again, this often depends on the marriage and the reasons for the end. Obviously, if your husband was abusive, you'll want to distance yourself from him in every way possible. This might even be a reason to change your name into something completely different from either your maiden or married name.

Whatever you choose is entirely up to you. Women are free to keep their married names, revert to maiden names or choose something different. Sometime in the future, should you wish to remarry, you may even change it again.