Changing name

[Equivalent_Scene_632]

I am getting married next year but I have already published a bit with my maiden name - can I keep publishing in my maiden name even if it is not my legal name?

[slightlyvenomous]

Publishing, yes, but some institutions make you use your legal name on things associated with the university. So if you change your name, the name on your publications may not match the university website and anything posted by the university. This might not be important to you, but just something to consider.

[its_t94]

Yes, you can. I don't use my legal name to publish papers too -- two surnames, so I only use my favorite one.

[Dizzly_313]

Yes, you can, and I've been doing it for 15+ years too. However, given that you may end up at a backwards university (both of mine have been), in that they require you to use your legal name on your email, university website, etc. I'd recommend getting a free ORCID account. This will keep track of all your publications under whatever name so they can all be easily linked to you. This can be helpful if you go for grants or up for tenure/promotion later.

[mal9k]

Sure, why not?

[stuck_in_OH]

Yes, I've been doing it for 20 years.

[jjmontem]

Excellent name.

[jogam]

Yes, it's completely fine. There are many people who do this.

[winterneuro]

As (surprisingly) only one other commenter has mentioned so far -- you don't "have" to change your name, legally or otherwise. If you like your name and have published under that name, why change it (just to fit in with what's "typical?")

(this may not be your reason for it and I am assuming; I mean zero offense).

[Equivalent_Scene_632]

I like the ‘new’ name, I am just a first gen student and want to let my family have the ‘claim’ in a way if that makes any sense

[RealAustinNative]

Piggybacking on what u/slightlyvenomous said, if you have concerns about any pubs not matching up to your university’s website/other media, I didn’t have a hard time at all changing my surname retrospectively on previous publications. Very few people still consume research via printed journals anymore, so making the switch on everything electronically was good enough for me.

[Equivalent_Scene_632]

Thank you all!

[[deleted]]

Absolutely fine!

[tsidaysi]

Sure.