This was a question that no one asked many years ago. Women are now being asked this extremely essential question before entering into their marriages. Will you take your husband’s surname as your own? Are you willing to give up yours in exchange for his?
Even though it is still the societal norm, many women in today’s society have chosen to marry and not take their husband’s surname.
Even in Nigeria, there are superstars who refuse to give up their last name for their husband’s, despite the belief that this is a ‘western habit.’
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In this list, we will be counting down 10 women who refused to give up their last name. Are you ready to dive in? Then let’s go!
1. Simi
Simi and Adekunle Gold famously married on January 9, 2019 in a private ceremony. Many people assumed she changed her name from Simisola Ogunleye to Simisola Kosoko after the wedding because Adekunle’s surname is Simisola Kosoko.
However, this is not the case. Simisola Kosoko was credited as Simisola Ogunleye-Kosoko at the end of the Behind the Scenes of her Duduke video, which she posted on August 20, 2020.
She didn’t drop her maiden name; instead, she hyphenated it, which seems to be the new trend among women, particularly in the entertainment industry.
Here’s another example:
2. Adesua Etomi
Adesua Etomi is another woman who has been dubbed Adesua Wellington by the public because her husband’s surname is Banky W.
However, Adesua Etomi is known as Adesua Etomi-Wellington on social media, rather than Adesua Wellington.
Simi is the same way.
3. Funke Akindele
Although hyphenization is common, and this is the penultimate case on the list, Funke Akindele did not change her name to Funke Bello after marrying her husband. Instead, she changed her name to Funke Akindele-Bello, and she now goes by that name.
While hyphenizing is an easy alternative to avoid changing your name entirely, a number of ladies just stated, “No, I’m not going to hyphenize or change my name.” Here are a few of the women in question.
4. Hilda Dokubo
Hilda Dokubo in 1986 got married to her husband, Karo Mrakpor. The two were together until 2008 when they broke up before coming back again in 2013 and remaining married since.
Still, all these years later and 2 times married to the same man, Hilda Dokubo has felt no need to change her name and still goes completely by Hilda Dokubo.
5. Regina Daniels
Regina Daniels is yet another woman who didn’t bother to change her surname despite how popular she and her marriage have become. The actress is popularly married to wealthy man, Ned Nwoko but despite their very talked about marriage, Regina still goes by Regina Daniels and not Regina Nwoko.
6. Stella Damasus
This one is quite interesting. Why? Because when Stella was married to her first husband, Jaiye Aboderin, she popularly went by Stella Damasus-Aboderin. In fact, till this day, many people think that’s still her name. However, after the death of her first husband when Stella went on to marry her now husband, Daniel Ademinokan, she didn’t change her name. Stella still very much goes by Stella Damasus everywhere and not Stella Ademinokan.
7. Joke Silva
Another perfect example that didn’t really hit me until now is Joke Silva. She has always been Joke Silva since I knew her despite the fact that she is really popularly married to Nollywood veteran actor, Olu Jacobs. Never once has Joke Silva gone by Joke Jacobs or Joke Silva-Jacobs. Joke Silva has always been Joke Silva.
8. Lala Akindoju
Lala Akindoju is a Nigerian actress. I didn’t even know Lala had gotten married because all the time I’ve known her, she’s been Lala Akindoju. But, in 2018, Lala in fact got married to her husband Gbubemi Fregene. Since their wedding, Lala hasn’t changed or given up her surname and still goes very much by Lala Akindoju and not Lala Fregene.
9. Clarion Chukwura
Remember when Clarion Chukwura used to go by Clarion Chukwura-Abiola? It was a popular time. Well, she now goes by just Clarion Chukwura. Yes, she is married now to current husband Anthony Boyd but I guess this time around, she’s choosing not to stress herself or the public with a new name and is just sticking with Clarion Chukwura.
10. Stella Dimoko Korkus
Now this is what you call no time. Stella, a popular Nigerian blogger, relocated to Germany with her husband in 2004. That is all we know. After her wedding, Stella didn’t change her name. She didn’t even share pictures of her husband or children. When in 2017, speculations started happening and a certain man started being touted around as her husband, Stella said:
For record purposes,My hubby looks nothing like the fine photo merged with mine here.
Yes hubby is white…
Yes hubby is German…
But the story aint correct…
It is OK to write whatever anyone wants but I will also use my platform to correct any wrong story.
It is OK to call me out but the decision to leave my family private remains so and I do not regret it.
The Stella Dimoko Korkus brand is mine alone and has no affiliations with husband or Children.