Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
Is it necessary to change my name as I have recently taken the shahādah (testimony of faith)?
Answer:
In the Name of God, Most Kind, Most Merciful
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question.
Congratulations on your reversion to Islam. May your journey to Islam be filled with learning, blessings and practice.
It is not necessary for you to change your name if your name has a suitable meaning. However, if your name entails an islamically inappropriate meaning such as a name of a false god, then it will be mandatory to change your name.
“You will all be called on the day of judgement by your names and your fathers names, so therefore keep good names for your selves” (Abū Dawūd, Musnad Aḥmad)
And Allāh Knows Best
