Changing my last name to the feminine for of my husband?

Question

im getting married in a couple of weeks. my husband is originally from russia, hes been here since he was like 5. his last name end in -sky and his sister is one of my closest friends and hers ends is -skaya. they both insist im going to have the -skaya version of the name. but my last name now is greek and i have the male form of it (-opoulos instead of -opoulou), so i am thinking that here in the us we dont differentiate between male and female last names? am i wrong?

Answer 1

In Russia and Poland they do that but here in the UNITED STATES you take his name as is.  If you use the "female" ending most people will just think that ur last name is just simmler and you would have to legally have to have it changed to the alternative ending. Or just better yet just make him take ur last name lol.

Answer 2

You are correct. As they say "when in Rome, do as the Romans do".

You are not Russian, neither is your fiance... you are both American, so follow the American tradition. If you choose to change your last name, use it in the exact form as your husband's. Same goes for your future children.

Best wishes!

Answer 3

I know exactly what you mean. My husband is Russian too and i had the same choice too. It is your choice.The state won't make you put sky or skya. Some russian girls have the a at the end but i didn't like the way it sounded so i didn't the a. but it will be correct no matter which way you do it. My husband really didn't care so I didnt add the a. Because I'm Armenian and we dont have that in our coulture.Good luck on the subject and Congrats on the wedding.