Little support for the introduction of a double surname

Determining the baby name is often very difficult for expectant parents. Not only the first name can cause discussion, but also the last name is sometimes a tricky matter. Because which family line must live on, that of the man or the woman? The call for a double surname is therefore getting louder.

Research by EenVandaag shows that the man’s surname is preferred for the vast majority of people in the country. More than three quarters (68 percent) of all respondents would give his or her child the man’s surname. Only 11 percent prefer that of women.

“I want to join the existing tradition,” says one interviewee. Furthermore, people see the surname as recognition of the man. A panelist commented: “At birth it is clear who the mother is and the role of the father is recognized by the surname.”

Call for double last name

Recently there have been calls to offer parents the option of passing on both surnames to their child. A double surname offers parents, according to proponents, a way out of the tricky question: what choice do you make if you are equal as husband and wife?

However, there is little support among people in the country for expanding the number of options. A majority (58 percent) does not see such a change in the law. They seem to be taken by surprise by the discussion and see yet another tradition being broken: “I think this is such a rubbish discussion. Another small group that wants to change our traditions,” says one panel member grimly. Other people also foresee practical problems: “Wait a minute, so the children can take four surnames from that?”

Young women benefit from double last names

A quarter of the respondents (27 percent) would like both parents to be able to pass on their name to their child. They see this as equality between man and woman or do not see why it should not be possible. One interviewee: “If people want that, who is the government to rule that that is not allowed?”

One group that is involved in this discussion and does support the double surname are young women. The largest group of women under the age of forty-five (49 percent) would like to see the law expanded to include this option. A young woman about this: “As a woman I would also like to pass on my family name.”

When presented with that option, in addition to the current options, a lot less of them would choose the man’s last name. Three out of ten (29 percent) would then prefer the double surname.