Good on you, Kane Vato, for taking on a name like Muehlenbeck, writes Susie O’Brien

The tradition of women taking their husband’s name upon marriage is an outdated, archaic step. Why don’t more men take their wives’ names like Pia Muehlenbeck’s husband seems to have done, asks Susie O’Brien.

Pia Muehlenbeck and Kane Vato on their wedding day in Byron Bay. Photo: Instagram/ @kanevato

Why don’t more men take their wives’ names when they get married? Surely, it’s their turn after all these years.

Rumours are swirling that Instagram star Pia Muehlenbeck’s new husband Kane Vato has taken her name after their Byron Bay wedding on the weekend.

He’s changed his Instagram name to Kane Vato Muehlenbeck and his bio even lists him as “Mr Muehlenbeck”. Good on him for taking on a name like that.

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Kane Vato and Pia Muehlenbeck. Photo: Instagram/ @modifime

Some fans weren’t happy, with one insisting it should be “Mr and Mrs Vato”. “A real man takes his wife’s surname,” said another.

The name change hasn’t been confirmed, and could be little more than an attention-seeking stunt. (Well, they are travel vloggers and social media influencers.) But why shouldn’t Kane take Pia’s name for a change?

I don’t understand how so many women allow men to own them by taking their names.

When I got married nearly 20 years ago, I didn’t take my husband’s name, but I did take his football team.

It seemed more important. Now that I am divorced, I’m still a Geelong fan and I am still an O’Brien.

Pia Muehlenbeck tries on wedding dresses. Photo: Instagram

Only a handful of celebrity men like Jay-Z and John Lennon have taken on their wives’ names but kept their own too.

It’s not a trend that’s taken off.

Only a couple of women I know have kept their own names, with many saying they’d have secretly liked to, but their husband wanted them to take his name.

They told me their husbands felt more strongly about it than they did, so they gave in.

Others had more prosaic reasons such as getting rid of hard to spell or unpronounceable maiden names.

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Others wanted to do it for the sake of the children and liked the idea of having a “family name”.

Whatever the reason, the tradition of women taking their husband’s name upon marriage is an outdated, archaic step.

The name change has long signified the handing over of a woman from one man – her father — to another man — her husband.

It seems a pity: I just don’t see why the so-called family name should be the man’s name and not the woman’s. Is it just to gratify the ego of the bloke?

I do hope Kane has changed his name. It would be a nice gesture — much nicer than the fact that their wedding guests had to colour co-ordinate their outfits in matchy-matchy earthy, muted tones for the gratification of Pia’s two million Insta-fans.

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