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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: SmallTownGirl on Thursday 05 June 25 11:28 BST (UK)
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Using Hillary Clinton as an example:
As far as I understand it, when she was born she was named:
First name - Hillary
Middle name - Ruth
Surname - Rodham
but, having married Bill Clinton, she's known as Hillary Rodham Clinton.
So is "Rodham Clinton" now her Surname and Ruth still her middle name, or has Rodham become her middle name and Ruth has disappeared?
Or something completely different, please?
And what would happen if, say, she was to re-marry after Bill Clinton to, say a Mr Smith, where would Smith fit into her surnames, or wouldn't it?
Thanks
STG
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There is no set pattern. It's a matter of personal choice.
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Using Hillary Clinton as an example:
As far as I understand it, when she was born she was named:
First name - Hillary
Middle name - Ruth
Surname - Rodham
but, having married Bill Clinton, she's known as Hillary Rodham Clinton.
So is "Rodham Clinton" now her Surname and Ruth still her middle name, or has Rodham become her middle name and Ruth has disappeared?
Technically she would have been Hillary Ruth Clinton - However she has chosen to to be known as Hillary Rodham Clinton - nothing wrong with that it's not illegal (unless done for illicit purposes)
And what would happen if, say, she was to re-marry after Bill Clinton to, say a Mr Smith, where would Smith fit into her surnames, or wouldn't it?
Thanks
STG
Again technically she would be Hillary Ruth Smith or if she preferred Hillary Rodham Smith or she could keep the Clinton in there the choice is entirely hers.
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Using Hillary Clinton as an example:
As far as I understand it, when she was born she was named:
First name - Hillary
Middle name - Ruth
Surname - Rodham
but, having married Bill Clinton, she's known as Hillary Rodham Clinton.
So is "Rodham Clinton" now her Surname and Ruth still her middle name, or has Rodham become her middle name and Ruth has disappeared?
Rodham has not 'become' her maiden name it is still her maiden name.
Hillary Ruth Rodham = first name + middle name + last [maiden] name
Hillary Rodham Clinton = first name + maiden name + last [married] name
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I may be incorrect here - but I thought Hilary was a lawyer before her marriage and she used the name Hilary Rodham in that capacity (before marriage). It was therefore her professional name and once married she just added her married surname 'Clinton' to it. :-\
Lots of women retain their maiden name for profession purposes. I don't think its any sort of naming pattern.
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Thanks everyone. I couldn't identify a pattern, but had wondered if there was one, and just couldn't see it ;D
Thanks again
STG
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It's very common in the US for women who take their husband's surname to keep their maiden surname as a new or replacement middle name. Most states allow this to be legally done via the marriage certificate. However in New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington State a court order is necessary to make the change legal. See https://aliasflip.com/blog/maiden-name-to-middle-name/