Surname choices - a hot topic!

We had an incredible response to our survey on the choices that people make in relation to their surnames and marriage. Over 1,000 people completed our survey in just four weeks, meaning that we've now got plenty of data to go through in order to learn more about how people feel about changing their name (or not) if or when they marry. Of course, the survey doesn't reflect the whole opinion of the UK, but it can certainly tell us about some popular ideas. Some of the things we hope to learn from our data include:

• How do many women in heterosexual relationships feel about the tradition of women taking their husband's surname upon marriage?
• How do many men in heterosexual relationships feel about the same tradition?
• What are the views of those in same-sex relationships, and what decisions would they take/have they taken?
• Can we see any trends in our data in terms of what women in same-sex relationships would do/have done upon marriage or civil partnership, compared to men in same-sex relationships?
• What about bisexual people who are in either same-sex or opposite-sex marriages? Does their sexual identity have an impact on their views?
• What alternative options have those in heterosexual marriages chosen from? For example, how common is it to find a man that has take his wife's name, or a couple who have both double-barreled their surnames?
• What impact does it have on people's choices if they have children?
• How common is it for a couple or an individual to change their name without getting married/civil partnered?
• Do the views of younger respondents seem to differ to those of older respondents?
• Do those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual typically articulate different feelings about marriage and surnames to those who identify as straight?
• What relevance does a person's gender identity (whether transgender or cisgender) have on their views about naming strategies?

What we know already, judging by the huge response we've had, is that lots of people have an opinion about this issue! When we've talked about the survey on Twitter, it's prompted a lot of discussion and debate - it seems that everybody has something to say! Even before we're able to share any results, the survey has also been discussed elsewhere in the media - we've been on BBC Radio Sheffield to talk to Rony Robinson about the study, as well as on Liverpool City Talk FM to discuss the issues with Larry Neild. We've been mentioned in a fantastic essay on marriage and identity by Sophie Coulombeau ('Why should women change their names on getting married?') as well as in a feature on a Chinese news blog ('What's in a name?').

We're delighted that the issue of married names has sparked debate and discussion, and look forward to reviewing our data and reporting on our findings. Thanks again to all those who took part!