When people get married, the age-old societal expectation — or norm, if you will — is that the woman will take her husband's last name. Just earlier this year, a study conducted by Portland State University found that 70 percent of 1,200 adults felt like a woman should change her last name once she wed — and 50 percent thought this should be required by law.
To some, the change signifies the uniting of two people's lives as one — to others, it means something a little less romantic.
Earlier this week, Twitter user _MercyFul asked the female Twittersphere why they wouldn't take their husband's last name upon marriage.
And she received a wide variety of powerful answers from women everywhere.
More from CafeMom: 30 of the Most Gender-Neutral Baby Names in America Right Now
Some (woke) users mentioned how antiquated the tradition is, and how it has sexist origins.
The tradition dates back to the 14th century, a time when women were considered to be the property of men, and therefore lived in a "state of namelessness," according to BBC.
Many other cultures around the world actually don't follow this tradition, so it's mainly a Western concept.
Being that it's the 21st century, some women would rather hold on to their own surnames as an indispensable piece of their identity.
After all, they were living with that last name for their whole lives prior to getting hitched.
That identity can also include a woman's heritage or culture.
More from CafeMom: 12 Married Celebs Who Took Their Spouses' Last Names (PHOTOS)
That was the case for badass journalist Soledad O'Brien, who also had an established career before getting married.
Other women agreed with O'Brien, finding it important to keep their original name tied to their professional accomplishments.
For some, this means being the first doctor in their family, or having published academic papers and bylines with their birth surname.
Another woman had the best comeback for anyone who judges women for not taking their husband's name or claims it disturbs a family's uniformity.
Snaps to that.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter why a woman wants to keep her own surname. What matters is that she has the choice to do whatever she wants.
Especially if she has a really cool last name.
