What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?
My middle name is legally Maria.
Maria carries its own mythology: “star of the sea,” “bitter sea,” “wished‑for child.” Some trace it back even further, to meanings like “beloved.” None of those ever fit. I’ve never felt like the wished‑for child, and “beloved” isn’t something I’ve ever felt.
My mom wanted to name me Tina Marie, inspired by her favorite Perry Como song. That’s the name I go by.
Read More »A 2023 Pew Research survey found that about 80% of women married to men in the U.S. take their husband’s last name. Under the SAVE Act, if their voter registration name differs from the name on their birth certificate or passport, they may need to show additional documents.
If the SAVE Act were to become law, Bedekovics said married women who have changed their names should obtain certified copies of all marriage certificates, locate their birth certificates, and keep any change-of-name documentation on hand for any updates to their voter registration.
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 