Are we supposed to change our name after believing in Jesus Christ?
NO! God is not interested in unnecessarily changing our names.
We did not change our names. My name is Brijesh, my wife is Prerna, my son is Pranjal and daughter Yeshanshi.
Though Bible has some references where God changed the names of some people; however, those were in certain specific cases to impart a particular teaching. He did it in several cases like Abram renamed to Abraham, Sarai renamed to Sarah, Simon renamed to Peter and Jacob renamed to Isreal. This was essentially to lay foundation of biblical principle about faith that how it brings a transition between old and new, past and present.
“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.”
[Genesis 17:4-6]
“God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.” ”
[Genesis 17:15, 16]
In the above scriptures, by changing their names, God taught this barren couple to change their attitude and be positive in trusting God. He did it to teach us to bring change in our perspective, vocabulary and faith including thought process by turning it positive from negative.
This in no way gives us any indication that we have to change our names. Bible says that God knows us by our names, and He has written it in the heaven in the book of life also, so why to change it.
“…but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
[Luke 10:20]
He knows our heart, our attitude and our faith in which he is interested. Instead of focusing on unwarranted acts like changing names etc, let us better concentrate on the things which will edify our faith which is the prime substance of spiritual life. We should rather strive to become holy as God is holy.