I hated my last name growing up but still didn't change it when I married. Now, my kids have it, too.

The author decided to hyphenate her kids' last names to include hers.

Courtesy of the author

• Growing up in Staten Island, my last name made me stand out.
• I thought I'd change my name once I got married, but that didn't happen.
• My husband and I eventually decided to hyphenate our last names when it came to our kids.

In my predominantly Italian hometown of Staten Island, New York, you were Irish if your last name didn't end in a vowel. And if you weren't Irish, you were other.