Sweden has voted in a political party who are anti-immigrant. When it comes to employment, Sweden is very much more interested in employing Swedish people (although I guess that’s the way it should be). I don’t want my name to be the deciding factor on whether I get a job or not (irrespective of my qualifications), and I certainly don’t want my children to be limited also. This is one instance where being a Karlsson in Sweden might help us out. 2 years ago

As Erik has decided that if we get married, he wants to take my name. In Sweden, my name is unusual (actually, it’s unusual in England, too), and his surname, is rather popular here. In fact, both his names are in the top 5 of most popular in Sweden, so he thinks that if he takes my name, he’ll have a bit of an edge. Which makes me happy, because then I can keep my surname, and I won’t have a different name to the rest of my family :) 3 years ago

I’ve been thinking this through, and whilst I still believe in the reasons for not changing my name, the practicalities and my feelings have changed. It isn’t like ‘oh how cool would it be to have a different name?’, it’s more this: ‘if I have kids, I will get married, and if I get married and keep my family name, I’ll be the only one with that surname – and that’s not a good feeling’. So this may change. 5 years ago

...having to spell it and correct people with the pronounciation :) I’d also forget that it wasn’t my surname anymore, I’m just too used to it now. I will almost definitely keep my family name. 6 years ago

The old meaning of this tradition is that you are your father’s property then, when you get married, he ‘gives you away’, to be your husband’s property. I’m not that big on marriage, but I would have a simple wedding if it was important to my significant other. I just want to keep my name :) The confusing part will come when we have kids, as I don’t believe in double-barrelled names. It’s a bit of a dilemma. Still, I won’t have to worry about that for a long while. 7 years ago