My baby's last name, should it be mine or her dad's

By ^^,
March 1, 2017 5:25pm CST
I have been debating on agreeing that my daughter have her dad's lastname.. I initialy submitted her birthcertificate and had her under my name because her dad is a un reliable guy who couldn't even show up for the filling. Since we are not married i had no choice.. If she takes up my last name she wouldn't have a middle name :( So now tha family of my baby's dad is insisting I change to their lastname.. the sad part its only my ex's family wgo is asking , not him Why do you think my fellow mylotters.. ?
5 people like this
11 responses
• United States
8 Mar 17
Don't let them pressure you. Do what you think is right for your child. Think about when she goes to school too. It will be easier for her if you and she have the same last name. If he doesn't care, why should you make changes?
@tzwrites (4835)
• Romania
3 Mar 17
If he can't be bothered I don't think he deserves to have his last name there
@lokisdad (4226)
• United States
2 Mar 17
This is a personal choice but I would say name the baby whatever you like. The last name can be both to make everyone happy. However if you chose to just use yours for your reasons above it is understandable. However putting them on the certificate and them signing usually allows you to make them financially responsible. He sounds like a piece of work. I would probably avoid him all together and just let the child know when they were older. Allowing his name to be signed to the certificate grants him rights which later he can use to manipulate things when you try to move on.
@reskyyandi (3616)
• Indonesia
3 Mar 17
Maybe you can combinate it
3 Mar 17
The baby should have the father's surname.
• United States
2 Mar 17
If he wanted her to have his last name, he should have showed up for the filing. Who cares what his family wants? She's your daughter, not theirs. Why bother keeping in contact with them at all? They're the ones who raised him to be unreliable. Doesn't sound like they'd have anything of value to contribute.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Mar 17
It's your baby and you have the right to name her whatever you wish. You're going to be the one she lives with and it will be less confusing to her if she has your name. Since you are not married to the dad they have no right to ask that of you--even if you were married it's none of their business. Sure, your daughter is related to them but you're the one she'll be living with every day. You should do whatever is best for your daughter and yourself. She will feel more of a bond with you if you share the same last name.
@prinzcy (32322)
• Malaysia
1 Mar 17
Just name her after yours, it's not for them to decide. After all, he's not the one that she should be name after him. But why do they insist to be name of his family name? Is there a particular reason for that?
@Namelesss (3368)
• United States
2 Mar 17
Let's see, you are not married and the dad doesn't appear to care. For me that settles it, I would just give my child my last name but would put the dad's name on the birth certificate in the appropriate space. There is no reason a child 'has' to carry it's fathers sur name.
@Happy2BeMe (99386)
• Canada
1 Mar 17
I would just give her your last name. It is your decision.
1 Mar 17
I think that your baby's dad has to take part in the decision making as well. If he wants his daughter to have his last name, he would have had initiative to do so. Perhaps, you might want to talk things over with him.