Oz men adopting wife's surname

Melbourne, June 23 : Men in Australia are beginning to take their wives' names when they marry, reversing centuries of tradition.

And one such case is of Chris Smythe, who will adopt his Emma Rudin's surname once they get married.

"I do feel attached to my surname in a way - I've been carrying it since I was born - but it doesn't really define who I am," the Courier Mail quoted Smythe, as saying.

Smythe said that the reason for doing so is practical - he is starting out in financial risk management, but his fiancee is an established music teacher.

He said that his father, John, changed his name from Smith as a young man, 'so there's not a great lineage there'.

The couple said that most family and friends had been supportive - but some male pals were asking, "Who wears the pants in this relationship?"

Rudin, who will not have a white gown or bridesmaids, said she was pleased their surname was not traditional.

Tony Gelme, marriage celebrant, said that most men taking their wives' names do it 'just to break with tradition'.

He has presided over about eight weddings in which the groom has taken his bride's name.

ANI