Jennifer Lopez has officially requested to revert to her maiden name, dropping Ben Affleck’s surname as part of their ongoing divorce proceedings. According to court documents obtained by Page Six, the singer has asked a judge to change her legal name from Jennifer Lynn Affleck back to Jennifer Lynn Lopez.
Lopez, 55, had previously embraced her married name with enthusiasm. When she and Affleck eloped in July 2022, she described taking his surname as both “romantic” and “traditional.” At the time, she expressed pride in her new identity as Mrs. Affleck and noted that it felt like a meaningful gesture.
However, Lopez’s recent legal move marks a significant shift. She now seeks to return to her maiden name, despite once gushing about the romantic appeal of adopting Affleck’s last name. In November 2022, she told Vogue, “People are still going to call me Jennifer Lopez. But my legal name will be Mrs. Affleck because we’re joined together.”
Lopez also addressed the idea of her husband taking her surname, saying, “No! It’s not traditional.” She elaborated on her feelings, stating that while the name change initially felt romantic, it now seems less relevant to her sense of identity and autonomy. “It doesn’t have any romance to it. It feels like it’s a power move,” she explained. “I’m very much in control of my own life and destiny and feel empowered as a woman and as a person.”
The change in Lopez’s surname comes shortly after the couple’s separation. They were married for two years, and Lopez filed for divorce on the second anniversary of their Georgia wedding ceremony. She cited April 26 as the date of their separation, with sources revealing that they did not have a prenuptial agreement. This could potentially lead to disputes over their assets, including their $68 million Beverly Hills mansion, which they have put up for sale.
Lopez’s decision to revert to her maiden name reflects a broader personal shift following the dissolution of her marriage to Affleck. Despite her earlier sentiments about the name change being romantic, Lopez now seems to prioritize her personal autonomy and identity.
