surnames

use parallel treatment for men's and women's surnames: if you use his surname alone (e.g. Demeter), don't add a social title to hers (e.g Ms. Demeter); if you call her Magnolia, don't call him Mr. Bartleby. With reference to married couples, too often he is the main Primrose while she is Mrs. Primrose, Deborah, or Deborah Primrose; they should be referred to as Charles Primrose and Deborah Primrose, Mr. Primrose and Ms. Primrose, or Deborah and Charles. Some 70-80% of married women in the United States take their husband's last name, according to a 2015 Google survey and a separate New York Times analysis; those breaking with tradition are more likely to be young, affluent achievers. Only nine states recognize a statutory right for men to take their wives' last name. A man who wants to take his wife's name must petition the court, advertise in a newspaper, and pay hundreds of dollars in fees; a woman needs only to fill out a marriage license application (Ms.). See also hyphenated surnames, maiden name, matronym/matronymic, patronym/patronymic.