i like that idea WantsOut!
i can't stand my maiden name because as far as i am concerned, i do not want to have any association with that one either as i have just as much of a negative feeling about my alcoholic father as i do my AH. My mother is dead- so there is not much sentiment or pride in having it. i'd rather not have any association with it.
there are a couple local names that i like, but that may be too weird for those who allready have the name. so smith is very vanilla and i might enjoy it. heck nowadays when someone asks me my name i can hardly choke out the last one!