Father's naming rights

[vellis12]

My wife and I are recently married and now expecting our first child. She is keeping her last name for professional reasons and it is important to her.
That said she wants to use our last names' hyphenated on the birth certificate. I am not in favor of this at all as I believe it leads to confusion and unnecessary length. When I expressed this opinion she told me in no uncertain terms that her last name will then have to appear on the birth certificate as she fills it out, I have no say.
I am in favor of combining our last names to form a new one. I know this is a legal option, it does not in any way fall under fraudulent means. I believe this to be a good compromise and easy on the children. Failing that I think our child should have my last name. I believe this is a better option as it leaves no question of who the father is, gives no identity crisis that normally associates with a break from the social norm, and helps foster a more 'family' atmosphere.
My long winded question is: If she does not agree to this combined name method, what are my legal rights in giving the surname on the birth certificate.
We live in New York, Suffolk County. We are married and I am the biological father.
Thank you.

 

[Duranie]

In a marriage, you do have some naming rights. I am not sure if mom would be able to legally hyphenate the childs name or not but my guess is yes. most children in a marriage should have dad's last name as it is VERY confusing to do otherwise and people may assume you are not the father and mom will find herself being asked this alot.

You can let mom know that if she hypenates the last name, you will be using your last name only for the baby for all other purposes. I personally think its wrong for her to insist on this when you are not ok with it.