Meri Brown Chooses to Keep Her Surname After Legal and Spiritual Divorce from Kody

Despite the "legal and spiritual" conclusion of her marriage to Kody Brown, Sister Wives personality Meri Brown confirmed she intends to keep her surname.

During the “I Do, Part 2” podcast episode, which premiered on Friday, September 12, Meri, 54, disclosed, “I've discussed this topic extensively with my closest friend and others.” She then stated, “Currently, I'm choosing not to.”

Meri clarified that she has borne this surname for “35 years” and has no desire to return to her birth name.

“I bore my original name—my father's surname—for merely 19 years,” she further elaborated. “Furthermore, it contains numerous ‘R’s, making it quite challenging to pronounce. ‘Brown’ is significantly simpler.”

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Meri informed her audience that adopting her maiden name would make her “Meri Barber,” a name she noted was “genuinely difficult to pronounce.”

Meri tied the knot with Kody, 56, in April 1990. Their legal divorce occurred in 2014, but they maintained a spiritual union, allowing him to “legally reorganize” his household. Subsequently, Kody wed Robyn Brown to facilitate the adoption of her children from her previous marriage. (Kody also had spiritual marriages with Janelle Brown and Christine Brown, both of which have since ended.)

“My sister and I frequently make light of this, as she is also divorced,” Meri further mentioned. “Our sentiment is, ‘We adore you, dad, but we won't be reverting to our maiden name.’”

Meri additionally provided a short update on her romantic pursuits, confirming that she is not currently in a serious relationship.

She stated, “My relationship status right now is that I'm not exclusively seeing anyone.” She added, “I pursue dates only when I encounter someone whose vibe aligns with mine.”

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The TLC personality revealed her approach to dating is “highly selective.”

Meri commented, “Being part of my life is a privilege, and not just anyone is afforded that opportunity.” She continued, “Moreover, I am a complex individual. I own a business, travel extensively, am developing new ventures, and manage numerous other activities. Can a partner truly manage that lifestyle?”

She explained, “Some men are simply not capable. They require constant presence. They expect frequent texts, and that's not something I seek.”

However, Meri did affirm during Friday’s podcast episode that she holds a belief in the existence of her soulmate.

“I don't strictly believe in a single destined person, and the question of where I might discover him is a thought,” she clarified. “Yet, I am confident I can find an individual with whom our values, morals, energies, and sense of humor are in sync, and with whom we desire to share the remainder of our lives.”