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Do I need to change my name?


Islam does not oblige a person to change his/her name when he/she reverts to Islam. What Islam requires is that a person submits peacefully to the One and Only God, and Creator of the universe. That is simply how to become a Muslim. Many of the beloved companions kept their names after reverting to Islam. It was only if the name had tribal connotations of disbelief or was an ugly name that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) asked people to change it, as in some cultures ugly names were believed to protect one from evil. Another case is that if the name offends the creed of Islam, such as being a name of a goddess in a traditional culture or alike.