Adam Ramsay-Peaty, a three-time Olympic swimming champion, has adopted his wife Holly Ramsay's surname ahead of the Commonwealth Games, a move that has ignited debate among etiquette experts and reportedly caused further distress to his estranged family.
The 31-year-old athlete was seen practicing in Glasgow with his new surname displayed on his swimming cap, a tribute to his wife, the influencer daughter of TV chef Gordon Ramsay. The couple is expecting their first child.
However, etiquette expert Laura Windsor suggested the public nature of the name change could be perceived as "performative," particularly given the family drama that unfolded around the couple's wedding last December. Windsor noted that while men adopting their wives' names is becoming more common, doing so amidst family feuds might "raise questions about their integrity, emotional intelligence and their understanding of tradition."
"Rather than a meaningful, symbolic gesture of love, it can risk coming across as performative," Windsor told the Daily Mail. She posited that such public displays can send a "clear message" to estranged parents, emphasizing unity and distancing from family tensions. "Public displays risk becoming theatrical and performative," she added.
This sentiment echoes concerns from a family source close to Ramsay-Peaty's parents, who expressed that the swimmer is "cashing in" on the Ramsay name because it "opens doors" and that he is "playing a role." The source claimed that Adam is "embarrassed of his roots and upbringing" and has "changed beyond belief" since joining the Ramsay family, leaving his parents "hurt, disappointed, bewildered and devastated."
Ramsay-Peaty, who is set to compete for Team England, is reportedly using the double-barrelled surname Ramsay-Peaty for the Games, with Ramsay placed before Peaty. This decision is seen by his estranged family as another blow, especially as Ramsay is listed first.
Historically, double-barrelled surnames in Britain were often used to link inheritance and property through marriage, rather than as a romantic gesture, according to Windsor. She clarified that traditionally, a hyphenated surname denoted a single, shared family name where both parts are "equally important." If unhyphenated, the second name may be treated as a middle name, often dropped in everyday use.
It remains unclear if Adam Ramsay-Peaty has officially hyphenated his surname. His decision to adopt the new name follows a high-profile wedding at Bath Abbey in December, from which his mother and other family members were reportedly banned due to an ongoing feud. He has since become close with his wife's parents, Gordon and Tana Ramsay, reportedly calling them 'dad' and 'mum.'
The athlete is preparing to compete in his first major event since his marriage, aiming to become the first British swimmer to win gold medals at four consecutive Commonwealth Games. He secured his place by winning the 100-meter breaststroke at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships in April.