After attempting to make his mark as a footballer, photographer and chef, at last Brooklyn Peltz Beckham appears to have secured his legacy. He will no longer be remembered as simply the nepo-baby son of David and Victoria; he’ll also go down in history as a somewhat unlikely/possibly accidental feminist activist.
It was when Brooklyn married Nicola Peltz in 2022 that he became Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, an ally who turbo-boosted a quietly growing trend. Rather than a heterosexual bride surrendering her name and adopting her husband’s as default, or double-barrelling alone, both partners take both names. It’s modern, equal and refreshing, as opposed to proper Handmaid’s Tale vibes.
Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty was clearly inspired by Brooklyn – imagine! – and has followed his lead, becoming Adam Ramsay Peaty after tying the knot with Gordon’s daughter Holly. Even if these men’s sole motivation was adding insult to injury for the parents they’ve each fallen out with – the Peatys and Beckhams weren’t invited to their sons’ late December nuptials/2025 vow-renewal, respectively – who cares? Spite is as good a place as any for progress to emerge from.
Post-wedding double-barrelling is hardly novel, of course. It goes back to the 15th century, when it preserved the wealth and power of families with only female descendants. Then it had a surge in popularity in the 70s thanks to second-wave feminism, but mostly it was wives who were doubling up, their husbands untroubled by deed poll admin. Men happily joining the double-barrel brigade feels new, welcome and so obvious it’s hard to believe it’s taken this long.
It’s often said that good marriages are all about compromise, and what better way for couples to set this intention, and put their money where their mouths are from the off? Hopefully, one day, this – rather than the dusty tradition of the woman forfeiting her identity – will become the norm. Although if the children of two double-barrelled families marry and double-barrel their names, in future the school morning register may well take until lunchtime.
Polly Hudson is a freelance writer
