Taking a husband's name at marriage has long been the norm in many cultures, but today, more and more women are choosing to keep their own surname. This decision is not necessarily linked to their level of commitment to the relationship. For a long time, marriage was closely tied to a tradition where a woman would give up her name in favor of her husband's. This practice originally symbolized a shift in authority, with the wife moving from her father's family to her husband's. Although this logic no longer has legal standing, the custom has endured. According to a survey cited by the INED, in 1995, 91% of married women still used their husband's name. Today, the choice of whether to take a partner's name is more personal. Legally, a woman does not change her name upon marriage. Her birth name remains her family name, and she can choose to use her partner's name as a usage name if she wishes. This shift reflects a broader change in how people view relationships and identity. For psychologist Amélie Boukhobza, this evolution highlights a new way of understanding relationships. "For a long time, taking one's husband's name was almost automatic. It was a way of signifying that one was entering a new family, that one was forming a unit, often with the idea that parents and children would all share the same name." However, this merging of identities is no longer necessarily seen as essential. Many women now choose to keep their own name or combine both names. A name is far from neutral, according to Boukhobza. "It is a lineage. A family history. It is the name by which others recognize us and the one to which we have always responded." For many, keeping their own name is a way of preserving their individual identity while still building a life with their partner. This choice reflects a growing emphasis on personal identity and autonomy within relationships.