What’s in a Surname?: The Negotiation of Identity Among South African Muslim Women After Marriage

Marriage places many women in the predicament of having to decide whether to retain their maiden name or take on their new husband’s surname. In some cases, couples may choose to merge or hyphenate both surnames. Nevertheless, surname change due to marriage has remained largely a wifely duty since the eighteenth century. This has raised sociological debates around gender and identity, with authors emphasising the self-identity, individuality, culture, belonging, and power embedded in a name. Despite a rise in the number of women retaining their identities or family surnames since the 1970s, the perception of men being the carriers of the surname and sons being the continuation of one’s family name is still rife. Much excitement still surrounds the transition from Miss to Mrs. and the prioritisation of the ‘wife’ identity (Goldin and Shim, J Econ Perspect 18(2):143–160, 2004; Robnett et al., Sex Roles 75:500–513, 2016). Considering these sociological debates, this study delves into the influence of retaining or changing one’s surname on the personal and professional identity of married Muslim women in South Africa. Studies show that Muslim women hold marriage and motherhood as elements of their identity but that they are also educated and politically vocal against discrimination, particularly in South Africa. Islamically, they are encouraged to further their studies and retain their maiden surnames after marriage. In exploring the choice of South African Muslim women to retain their maiden surnames or take on their husband’s surname, this study finds that religion (Islam), culture (the Indian diaspora), filial relationships and qualifications are integral in the decision-making process of Muslim women when considering a marital surname. The chapter also exposes the challenges South African women face when this choice is overshadowed by those holding public power. Ultimately, the study shows that surname choice after marriage remains a gendered predicament and is not taken lightly by South African Muslim women. It is a careful negotiation of religious beliefs, communal expectations and how she presents herself personally, professionally and on online platforms.