Hi,

How are surmames chosen in the USA?

I was reading this news ( http://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/family-life/0916/parents-fight-back-about-not-being-able-to-use-their-baby-name.aspx?xid=aol_wte-preg_23_20140915_&aolcat=HLT&ncid=webmail1 )

it is about a couple that wasn't allowed to blend their surnames to their third child but the two ones had already had  the name they chose ( it was in other state, )

Can anyone choose any surmame to their child ??

How does it work ?

According to the article:

'When it comes to choosing a last name for your baby-to-be, most parents choose to use one of the parents' last name, while some hyphenate, compromise or even invent an entirely new surname.

Invent entire new surname ???  is that true ???