Katy Perry to Take Husband's Name

Katy Perry has made an unusual decision to take her husband, Russell Brand's, last name. She revealed this decision on the Ellen DeGeneres show (as reported by New York Daily News).

Perry is in the process of legally changing her name, and she already responds to "Mrs. Brand" in public. Yet there is no explanation on whether or not she will continue to use Katy Perry as a professional name. Celebrities such as Sarah Michelle Gellar (Mrs. Prinze) privately use their married names but continue to be publicly recognized by their maiden names.

I'm glad that Katy Perry has found marital bliss with her new husband, though as a public figure with a high-profile image, it may take some getting used to. I still can't picture Mrs. Russell Brand singing about kissing a girl and liking it.

Perry's "boyfriend" Moe (from The Simpsons' Christmas episode) must be heartbroken by her marriage and subsequent name change.

It will be interesting to see if Katy can pull off the name change while maintaining the professional success she has enjoyed under the name Perry. Though the majority of celebrities keep their maiden names at least professionally, a handful have been able to make the transition. Of course, in Victoria Beckham's case, the surname didn't matter too much because she was better known as Posh Spice.

I really hope that Katy Perry's marriage to Russell Brand will last. Otherwise, she might end up regretting the name change.

Pop star Cheryl Cole launched a successful solo and television career. Unfortunately, she made the decision to use her married name as her professional name. With her marriage to Ashley Cole on the rocks, Cheryl has decided to revert back to her maiden name, Tweedy, so as not to be reminded of her husband.

Unfortunately the process will be difficult. According to Musicrooms.net, it will also be a long process to remove the tattoo marked "Mrs. C" on her neck.

At least Meredith Baxter-Birney had a relatively easy transition back to her maiden name, as will Courteney Cox Arquette. Given the high divorce rates, especially among celebrities, it really requires a leap of faith for a public figure to drop her maiden name.

Edgy Perry's decision to adopt Brand's last name shows that we can't judge a person by what name they choose to use. As one writer at elegala.com notes, "Many women who take their husband's last name are far from traditionalists. Likewise, not every woman who keeps her maiden name - or some combination of both - possesses the feminist fire of a Lucy Stone."

Interestingly enough, Perry is not Katy's true maiden name. Her birth name is Kathryn Hudson, but she had adopted her mother's maiden name, Perry, in order to avoid being confused with actress Kate Hudson.

Sources:

Katy Perry 'in the process' of taking husband Russell Brand's last name, New York Daily News

Cheryl Cole Planning To Return To Her Maiden Name, Musicrooms.net

Married or Maiden Name - Behind the Last Name (Change), Elegala.com