When two last names are combined with a hyphen, it is known as a hyphenated last name or a double-barreled last name. In such cases, there are different conventions on which last name comes first, depending on cultural norms and personal preference.
One common convention is that the first last name is the father’s last name, and the second is the mother’s last name. This practice is common in Spanish-speaking countries and in parts of Latin America, where it is known as the matronymic-patronymic naming system. For example, if the father’s last name is Garcia and the mother’s last name is Rodriguez, the child’s full name would be Juan Garcia-Rodriguez.
In some cultures, the mother’s last name is placed first, followed by the father’s last name. This is known as the matronymic naming system, and it is commonly used in countries like Iceland, where family names are based on the father’s or mother’s first name, followed by “son” or “daughter.” For example, if a woman named Anna had a son named Johann, his last name would be Jóhannsdóttir, which means “daughter of Jóhann.”
In other cultures, such as English-speaking countries, it is more common for individuals to keep their original last name and add their spouse’s last name with a hyphen, with either name appearing first. This practice is becoming increasingly common, particularly as more people choose to retain their original last name for professional reasons. In this case, the order of the names is a matter of personal preference.
Some individuals choose to reverse the order of their last names, with the second name appearing first and the first name second. This is often done for aesthetic reasons or to make the name more memorable. For example, if a person’s original last name is Brown and their spouse’s last name is Smith, they may choose to use the name Smith-Brown rather than Brown-Smith.
Ultimately, the order of last names in a hyphenated name is a matter of personal preference and cultural norms. Some individuals may choose to follow traditional naming conventions, while others may choose to reverse the order for aesthetic or personal reasons. It is important to note that in most cases, the order of the last names does not have any legal significance, and individuals are free to choose the order that they prefer.
