Why is Ivanka Trump not Ivanka Kushner?

Ivanka Trump is a name that many are familiar with, especially after her significant role in the Trump administration. The question that often arises is why she does not use her husband’s surname, Kushner. This article explores the reasons behind this naming choice and how the tradition of women retaining their maiden names is becoming more commonplace, reflecting a broader shift in societal norms.

The Public Perception and Media Influence

One of the most striking aspects of Ivanka Trump’s naming choice is the media's tendency to refer to her as “Trump” rather than “Kushner,” despite her marriage. This phenomenon is not unique to her but is a reflection of a broader trend in the media's treatment of women, where their maiden names are often used regardless of their married names. This practice is rooted in a desire to keep women in the public eye and connect them directly to their pre-marriage accomplishments and identities.

Freedom to Choose: The Advantage of a Career

For many women, including Ivanka Trump, choosing to retain their maiden names offers several advantages. Women today often have successful careers that they wish to preserve and build upon. Changing one's name can be a logistical and emotional challenge, which many women choose to avoid. Additionally, retaining their maiden names can help them maintain their professional identity and recognition, as many women and high-profile individuals prefer to be known by their maiden names in their professional fields.

The Evolution of Naming Practices

Women's choices regarding surnames after marriage have evolved significantly. In New York, for example, a woman can legally keep her maiden name, adopt her husband's name, or use a hyphenated name. Some women, like many of my friends who have careers, prefer to maintain their maiden names, especially if they are proud of their family heritage or the name holds a special meaning.

The Impact of Personal and Social Choices

Personal desires and social pressures can heavily influence decisions regarding name changes. For instance, when a woman gets married, she may decide to keep her maiden name if she feels strongly connected to it. Alternatively, she might choose to change her name if there are social or professional reasons to do so. It is not uncommon for women to retain their maiden names even when there is no immediate social or professional pressure to do so, merely out of personal preference.

Professional and Social Impacts

The choice to retain a maiden name can also impact a woman's professional life. Women like actresses and other high-profile individuals often prefer to be recognized under the name they are known by professionally. For example, a friend of mine, who became well-known in her field after her first marriage, chose to keep the name associated with her professional success, even after remarrying. This decision was made to ensure she was recognized for her achievements.

In the case of women from influential families, there might be a tradition to use their mother’s or their husband’s name. This is why Pablo Picasso, the famous painter, is known by his mother’s surname, Ruiz, rather than his father’s. Similarly, some women might choose a hyphenated name or adopt their husband's name to align with these traditions or societal expectations.

A Return to Birth Names

For some women, the choice to revert to their birth name later in life can be significant. When I was five years old, my mother remarried, and we moved to another state. Despite the disapproval from my stepfather’s family, we were enrolled in school with his surname. After my divorce, I decided to take back my birth name, which I had lived more years with than any other name. This experience highlighted to me the importance of identity and recognition.

Children, like my younger son, can also be affected by these decisions. When he overheard me telling a friend that my birth name was no longer just a middle name but my own name, he was proud to learn that his mother had her own name. This experience reinforced the importance of not being overshadowed by another identity and the value of maintaining one's own name.

Conclusion

The choice to retain one's maiden name after marriage is now becoming more common, reflecting a broader shift in societal norms. Women today are often educated and value recognition for their own accomplishments, rather than being known solely for their relationships with others. The tradition of changing names after marriage is evolving, with many women choosing to maintain their maiden names for personal, professional, and social reasons.