Hannelore, is it common in Germany for men to take the surname of the wife? It isn't here so it is surprising to me that your first son did it for his wife. I've heard of women keeping their own name for business reasons, and hubby doing the same, but why do they have to have her name? I empathize with you.

How about asking your son if he could keep his own name and her keep hers? Does that make sense?

Keeping the fmaily name is important. Mom is from a family with nine children. Not one of her siblings had a grandchild to carry on the family name until just last hear. Everyone was so happy to hear when a cousin had a son who could carry on the last name...so this is where I'm coming from.
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