What’s in a surname?

Of late, there have been many blogs/articles on a woman changing her surname after she gets married. I am sure most of you know the two sides of the coin. While some argue saying it is appropriate to keep the father’s name as the surname as a sign of gratitude to their fathers, some say it is a matter of respect for the husband with whom they are going to spend the rest of their life. And then of course, are these women who have no choice but to accept the family name after marriage. 

In the first two options, it is purely a matter of choice. Whatever may be the choice, there is no right or wrong about it and we have absolutely no right to judge. Sometimes I wonder if we think too much, over analyze things and are at a perpetual struggle to prove ourselves right. 

Well, to me, just because a woman changes her surname to her husband’s name, it doesn’t mean she loves her father any less or the other way around. And with just keeping the name, does it prove that the love is unconditional? These are choices we make based on our thoughts and impulse and there isn’t need for any justification. Yes, people are entitled to their opinion, but I don’t think it’s wise to rub it into another and be judgmental about it. 

After all, what’s in the surname? Isn’t there much more to life than this?