Should a woman be legally required to take her husband's surname when they marry?

I knew a woman, Laura Blake. She married someone called Peter Norder. She chose not to take his name because she did not want to be "Law and Order"

I took my husband's surname and was happy to do so. My sister in law, however, did not take her husband's surname since she built her reputation in the business field for years in her own name. It really is up to the individual. I know women who take their husbands surname for consistency in regards to their children. Being a school secretary for years, it is difficult to keep track of a child's mother's name when it is different than that of the child. It isn't impossible, but it is one more step to check a birth certificate when they come to pick up the child from school.  Sometimes the mothers would be upset at having to wait, but by law we could not release the child unless it was to a designated parent or guardian. 

Just something to consider for the future if you plan on having children.

She doesn't have to take her husbands like name but it just seems good to do so. Both are husband and wife.. United as one...

I have no intentions of getting married (not interested) but if by the smallest chance that it did happen.. I would be a little disappointed if she didn't but it wouldn't be the end of the world either. 

My oldest brother's wife moved her surname as her middle name. which I think flows really nicely. 

It's a convention rather than a legality. I've often wondered if women feel regret about dropping their maiden name in favour of a married name.

With the current high rate of divorce it may be more practical for a woman to retain her own name. And, as Tinkerbell already pointed out, if a woman is successful in a particular field it might be unwise to change her name.

No. The truth is most women do this for the sake of the family unit. I can only imagine all the stress of changing passports and legal documents. It really  isn't a fundamental part of marriages anymore now that we're in the 21st century. It's a great idea to keep your family name, just discuss it with your future husband. What ever your decision is, just keep your happiness and satisfaction a priority.

No, women take their husband's surname because of their culture and tradition only. And some women put both surnames: her and her husband's - there is no legal bondage on this.

This has never been the law.  It is just a custom.  In the U.S., there's no law to make you use a particular name.

That's how it always has been.