The Weight of a Name

This research examines the practice of marital surname change as a site where identity, autonomy, and tradition intersect. While often dismissed as a personal choice, the act carries cultural and psycho-political weight. This study specifically draws attention to Indian society and its practices regarding surname change. Existing studies have largely talk about the emotional and social aspects of surname change practices and fail to focus on the real-life consequences that people face when met with such a choice. To address this gap, a mixed-methods approach was employed, combining survey data from 301 respondents with two qualitative interviews. The findings reveal that surname change is seldom a neutral act; instead reflecting enduring patriarchal expectations that define legitimacy and belonging. Yet, younger participants demonstrate emerging alternatives, with hyphenated, dual, or invented surnames that challenge conventional lineage models. By analysing these evolving practices, this study argues that the politics of naming remain a mirror of social hierarchies while also offering new ways for achieving some degree of equality and self-definition in contemporary cultural and familial life through a chain of uncomfortable questioning.