THE NAME GAME

O.K., the countdown is on. You've set the date, time, place, decided on the groomsmen, ordered up the tuxes, invitations, engaged the band, photographer, florist ... let's see. Oh, yes. The little problem of her last name! Eighty-seven per cent of engaged women say they will take their husband's last name. But, that's not a given anymore. There are options:

She can use his name socially but keep her maiden name professionally. She can just keep her maiden name, period. Or, the couple can go by a hyphenated name, using both last names, as in Marcie and Jim Taylor-Martin. And finally, if you want to be really different, you can choose a brand-new name for the brand-new couple! Sort of a "stage" name, if you will. Movie stars, musicians, artists, etc. do it all the time. Of course, you might have to suffer the wrath of both families, but hey. Maybe the name "Silverado" is worth the risk.

Whatever option you choose, if one or both of you are going to make a change, it's got to be made legal and official. You'll have to record the name change on all government records, including Social Security, passport, tax forms, driver's license and voter registration. Other notification will be banks for checking and savings accounts, stock and bond certificates, IRA and mutual funds, credit cards and insurance policies. Your employers will have to be notified, too, to change their records and update your 401K plan. Plus, utility companies, club memberships and associations, magazine subscriptions, lease, mortgage, deeds of trust and your will. Speaking of your will. If you don't have one, now's a good time to have one drawn up.

Any change creates waves. When people goof up on introductions, don't make a big deal about it. Just correct the mistake right upfrontandmove on with the conversation. After all: A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.

Now what did you say your name was?

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