I heard on the news the other night that a new law was taking affect 1/1/09….it allows men to take their wife’s last name!  Yep, men can now take their wife’s last name instead of the wife taking the husband’s last name.  It is not retroactive.  So, if you are already married, this new law does not apply to you.  If, however, you are getting married any time in 2009 or later, you may now take your wife’s last name!  At least in California.  Very interesting.