'I'm keeping my surname when I marry - other women have sent me abuse for it'
A woman has claimed she's been flooded with abuse online after announcing she plans on keeping her own surname when she gets married to her fiancé later this year - with many of the cruel comments coming from other women.
Australian Claudia Oprya, 25, has discussed the topic with her 29-year-old partner Nick and has insisted he is "absolutely fine" with her decision to honour her Russian heritage and keep her family name alive by not changing it when they tie the knot.
But after the wedding planner made her decision public in a TikTok video, she found herself inundated with hate from vicious trolls who told her she was "keeping her man on a tight leash" and even called for the couple to divorce.
Claudia will be keeping her last name when she marries (Claudia Oprya / SWNS)
But she's been criticised by trolls for her decision (Claudia Oprya / SWNS)Claudia, from Sydney, Australia, said: "Most of my friends have taken their husband's surnames, and that's absolutely fine. It's just not for me. People online, though - mostly other women - have been really sh***y about it.
"I've had women say things like, 'you're keeping your man on a tight leash' and the fact that their partners wouldn't have married them if they hadn't taken their name.
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"People have even been calling for our divorce, all because I want my name's legacy to continue. It's just cruel."
The woman is the last person in her family to carry her Russian surname and is determined to keep it alive for as long as she can, as she said she's proud of her roots.
She added: "We've been taking the surnames of our husbands, dads and grandads for far too long. It's time for women to create their own names and identities.
"My family are from Russia - where feminism is practically unheard of. My gran, who was just the coolest woman, taught me to always be unapologetically myself and to never rely on a man to get what I want.
Claudia Opyra with her grandma, Galina (Claudia Oprya / SWNS)"I'm proud of my surname. My grandparents and mum fled to Australia from the communist regime, they forged lives for themselves in the real world and I'm lucky enough to still carry their name."
Claudia also explained she and her partner have already agreed to give any children they may have together double-barrelled surnames.
And the woman can't understand why people have been so negative about her decision, as she believes it shouldn't be at all controversial in today's society.
"I'm a feather ruffler, and I always have been. But this shouldn't be a controversial decision," she said, "Internalised misogyny is so ingrained in us, it really offends people when someone dares to suggest women have their own identities.
"Yes, there may have been rules about taking a man's surname centuries ago - but they're made to be broken. This is 2023, marriage doesn't mean a man is taking ownership of you anymore."
Meanwhile, Claudia previously shared another video in which she commented on her $4,600 (£2,600) engagement ring, as she claimed members of her family were making snide remarks about the price.
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Claudia said she was perfectly happy with the moissanite sparkler, and dismissed claims that her fiancé needed to spend more money in order to "prove his love".
She said: "When people think my ring is a diamond they say 'Wow, good for you' or 'You did well', implying that my partner is ultra-wealthy and I've picked the right guy.
"When they hear it's not and it's moissanite they say; 'Oh, it's still nice.' I think to myself, it's a $4,600 ring?! That's a lot of money and we understand we are privileged to have been comfortable with that number, it's not the case for many couples.
"The women in my family certainly exhibit signs of internalised misogyny and have commented on how the ring should have been more to prove his love. I completely disagree with that."
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