united-states children name
Can a child have a different last name from both their father and mother?
<p>In the US, you can change your last name as you could with your first name. So imagine as a father, you changed your last name from the one your family gives to you. Can you choose your child to use your family's last name not your changed last name?</p>

<p>No law in the US requires that parent and child have the same last name. It is usual that a child's name match that of at least one parent, but not required.</p>

<p>A parent can change his or her name, without changing the names of any existing children. Also, when a child is adopted, the child's name need not be changed to match the name of the parents, or either of them. </p>

<p>I have read of cases where a widow remarries, and takes the name of her new husband, but an adolescent child retains his or her birth surname. I suppose this would also be possible legally if it is the husband who changes name on remarriage, but i have not read of such a case.</p>

<p>I think, but I am not sure, that a child's name could be changed to a different name than the name of either parent. It may be that this would only be done if the child is old enough to understand and agree to the change. </p>

<p>Your legal name is your legal name and your child’s legal name is their legal name. For legal purposes you have to use your legal name.</p>

<p>When you name your child there is a convention that they take the father’s or mother’s (or both) last name but you can give them any name you like (subject to names the state restricts).</p>

<p>In general usage, you can call yourself and your child can call themselves anything they like - most people have different ‘handles’ in different circumstances.</p>
