Women have been double barrelling their names since the 15th century – and now men including Adam Ramsay Peaty are finally joining them
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fter 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.
