Dear Kari

Dear Kari,

Thank you for your very pertinent question (how does the patronymic system deal with maiden names?)! The answer is that you keep your given name and patronym, lose your maiden name, and add your husband's last name. I guess in some ways, it's a little more straightforward than our system, but I have to say that I love that we have so much choice over names in the States.

Love,
Erin