Reversing the name tradition

A critical analysis of husbands adopting wives’ surnames in South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID22436519
AuthorsTembela Mdunyelwa-Melane (0009-0002-8556-2426, Walter Sisulu University), Paul T Mtunuse (0000-0003-1469-7956, Walter Sisulu University)
Year2026
Volume7
Issue6
Pages1463
Publication date2026-07-14
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueE-Journal of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2720-7722 • E-ISSN: 2720-7722
PublisherNoyam Publishers (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.38159/ehass.2026764
OpenAlexW7168297711
LanguageEN
References cited10

The purpose of this study was to critically investigate the norm of husbands adopting their wives’ surnames. The article analyses naming practices through feminist legal theory, as well as traditional, ancient, and patriarchal perspectives. The methodology used in this study was a qualitative, interpretive approach. By dissecting the roots of surname succession and its origins in patriarchal structures, the paper examines how reversing this custom serves as a symbolic indication of gender equality. The study argues that integrating multicultural case studies and legal frameworks highlights the intricate interplay among individual autonomy, social norms, and institutional limitations. The researchers recommended that an all-inclusive approach is needed to address the changing dynamics between customary law and surname traditions in South Africa. Additionally, it is equally important to respect cultural practices while embracing legal progress. The study contributes to scholarship by highlighting the complexities of diverse South African cultures. While in some communities, it may be accepted for a husband to adopt his wife’s surname, in others, it is not.

Family law · Jurisdiction · Multiculturalism · Reversing · Scholarship · Land Rights and Reforms · Names, Identity, and Discrimination Research · Reproductive Health and Technologies