The Jennifer Affleck era is coming to an end. Just two years after legally changing her name to reflect her marriage to Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez is seeking to revert to her maiden name.
In her recent divorce filing, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split, Lopez has requested that her name be restored to “Jennifer Lynn Lopez.” As family law attorney Christopher C. Melcher explained, “It’s common for divorcing spouses to ask for their maiden name to be restored.”
While the timing of the name change will depend on the finalization of the divorce proceedings, which could take several years, Lopez’s stage name will remain unchanged. “Most people still believe she’s Jennifer Lopez,” noted divorce attorney Nancy Chemtob, referring to the actress and singer’s well-established professional identity.
Lopez’s decision to change her name marks a significant shift from her previous enthusiasm for the Affleck surname. In a 2003 interview, she expressed her desire to take Affleck’s name, stating, “My name will be Jennifer Affleck obviously.” She even mentioned plans to use her new name on personal stationery.
When Bennifer finally tied the knot in July 2022, Lopez proudly adopted the name “Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck.” However, her decision faced criticism, which surprised the singer and actress. “People are still going to call me Jennifer Lopez,” she later clarified. “But my legal name will be Mrs. Affleck because we’re joined together.”
Lopez also expressed her support for Affleck retaining his own surname, emphasizing the romance and tradition associated with the traditional approach. However, their separation this year indicates that their views on this matter may have evolved.
As Lopez embarks on this new chapter in her life, it’s clear that she’s not afraid to make bold decisions, even when it comes to something as personal as her name.
