What Metric is Used by the Court to Decide What a Childs Name Should Be

My question involves name change laws in the State of: Arkansas

Does the father's name have any more right to go to the child than the mothers maiden name? What reasoning would court officials use to make a decision on such a matter if the mother does not give her consent to change their childs name? The child is 5.

since the child is 5 now, unless there is a new revelation to where the father just figured out he is daddy, it is unlikely the courts will allow the name change at all if mom objects.

If there is a new found knowledge of paternity, there is a better chance but still nothing certain.

It is what is in the best interest of the child and if and how much either parent is involved with the child.

and when each parent is involved with the child, the courts will often hyphenate the two parents names. All you have to worry about then is whose comes first.