Why do muslims change their names? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why do muslims change their names? (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:01:36 PM EDT

I can't think of any other religion where people change their names. Why do so many muslims change their name to Muhammad, etc?

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:01:56 PM EDT

[#1]

My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:03:05 PM EDT

[#2]

Because during flu season they think everyone is talking about them.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:03:27 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

well, that explains it. thanks.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:04:26 PM EDT

[#4]

If you're talking about black people in America doing it, it's because their former name is their "slave name."

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:05:46 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Because during flu season they think everyone is talking about them.

Achmed is not amused.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:06:14 PM EDT

[#6]

Usually, it is to cast aside all ties to your previous life...

Quoted:
My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

as in both first and last name?

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:07:06 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
If you're talking about black people in America doing it, it's because their former name is their "slave name."

No, it's not just Blacks who do it. It's an Islam thing. Look at Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens).

ETA: It is true mnay black converts to Islam do change their names for the reason VBC listed, but that's more of a NOI thing. Muslims are not required to change their names to an Arabic sounding name unless their name has some meaning that goes against Islam. I'm sure the reason for many is to fit in and feel more at home in their new faith and communities.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:11:15 PM EDT

[#8]

kinda like witness protection program...make it harder to find you

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:14:07 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

well, that explains it. thanks.

Sure thing. I am Catholic too. Muslims are not alone in changing their names to a religious one.

Previously, Catholic doctrine required a [Catholic] saint's name to be chosen. In a way, it is much like a muslim taking Mohammad's name.

MN, my buddy only changed his first name. He chose John if it matters to anyone.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:17:15 PM EDT

[#10]

I have no idea.

Best Regards,

Shaboz X

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:17:30 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you're talking about black people in America doing it, it's because their former name is their "slave name."

No, it's not just Blacks who do it. It's an Islam thing. Look at Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens).

that's a good example

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:18:39 PM EDT

[#12]

What was Richard Reid's name prior to islam?

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:21:35 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
What was Richard Reid's name prior to islam?

His Muslim names are Abdul Raheem and Tariq Raja.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:21:37 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
What was Richard Reid's name prior to islam?

Fuch-ingg Reattard

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:22:05 PM EDT

[#15]

The question is... Why would anyone convert to Islam.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:22:24 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
The question is... Why would anyone convert to Islam.

that is not the question

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:23:08 PM EDT

[#17]

Will of Allah

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:32:13 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

The question is... Why would anyone convert to Islam.

Ask these two missionaries. Their arguments have really won the other guy over.

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:38:58 PM EDT

[#19]

Well would you want to go through life with the name "Richard bin Inakamel?"

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:40:53 PM EDT

[#20]

Kind of like how Barry Soetoro became Barack Obama?

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:44:02 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Kind of like how Barry Soetoro became Barack Obama?

Posted: 4/9/2010 1:46:14 PM EDT

[#22]

my arabic name is Mukhtar, but I got it at DLI. It means the chosen one!

Posted: 4/9/2010 2:55:13 PM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Quoted:
My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

well, that explains it. thanks.

It is common of many cultures

I'm not Catholic (so a real catholic will have to help us out)

but as they get "confirmed: they will add a saints name

So "Mr Harry Old Man" would be "Mr Harry Old Joe Man" (Joe being the name of a saint).

(I did not use a real saints name since I really don't know them)

Posted: 4/9/2010 2:57:28 PM EDT

[#24]

It's a prison thing.

Posted: 4/9/2010 3:30:50 PM EDT

[#25]

I'm not sure but all my friends call me ÁsdÍs MÆja...

Posted: 4/9/2010 3:34:09 PM EDT

[#26]

FUCK Obama

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:08:13 PM EDT

[#27]

I wouldn't say it's 'common'

I just don't see people changing their names for religious reasons except for muslims. and that still doesn't really answer the question, which is why muslims change their names.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:10:06 PM EDT

[#28]

You mean converted muslims in the US? Them folk are MOOSELIMS...at least that's the way they pronounce it. Many of them share the same characteristics.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:13:42 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:

Quoted:
My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

well, that explains it. thanks.

It is common of many cultures

I'm not Catholic (so a real catholic will have to help us out)

but as they get "confirmed: they will add a saints name

So "Mr Harry Old Man" would be "Mr Harry Old Joe Man" (Joe being the name of a saint).

(I did not use a real saints name since I really don't know them)

We've got a town called Port St. Joe just down the road. Cracks me up.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:13:58 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:

I can't think of any other religion where people change their names. Why do so many muslims change their name to Muhammad, etc?

Because "Kieth" just doesn't sound cool when your on the Haj.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:17:39 PM EDT

[#31]

I see a lot of Asians at my job and a lot of the have "Americanized" names. We have one lady that goes by Diane, but her real name is Xiaxen.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:20:40 PM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
I see a lot of Asians at my job and a lot of the have "Americanized" names. We have one lady that goes by Diane, but her real name is Xiaxen.

true, I have a japanese friend who goes by 'john'. although he's not catholic.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:24:53 PM EDT

[#33]

I can see this thread potentially going sideways.

IBTL

BTW, I was raised catholic (now an infidel) but I took on a christain name along with my give name. This is sort of the same concept as the muslim faith.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:26:46 PM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
Because during flu season they think everyone is talking about them.

Oh my!

I'll have to remember that one.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:28:32 PM EDT

[#35]

To fit in with their new group.

Many immigrants Americanize their names when they move here.

And of course in some of the cases to just make a statement.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:31:33 PM EDT

[#36]

Christians traditionally take a Christian name when they're baptized. For most, this is their first name, given shortly after birth.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:38:11 PM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

I can't think of any other religion where people change their names. Why do so many muslims change their name to Muhammad, etc?

It's cultural and more arabic than anything else (although many other cultures have followed suit.)

You are born with three names, so you're not really changing any of them. There's what your parents have named you. As you grow older, you name yourself. Then there's God's name for you. It's not really that big of a deal to them unless the name you take for yourself has no basis in reality! Then, well, you did it to yourself.

Posted: 4/9/2010 4:48:16 PM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:
What was Richard Reid's name prior to islam?

Dick Reed, the Egyptian version of Christian Dick Weed

Posted: 4/9/2010 5:02:02 PM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

When I was stationed in Korea I had a Korean born American roommate, he had a very heavy Korean accent, although he didn't speak Korean. He was Born in Korea, his parents came to the US when he was very young, he grew up in Atlanta. His parents knew that they were going to leave Korea for the US before he was born so they gave him an "American" name.

His name was "James Tiberius Kim". I am dead serious, you can't make shit like that up.

Posted: 4/9/2010 5:12:12 PM EDT

[#40]

I know catholics who have changed their names as well.

As well as East Asians, Asian Indians and Hispanics how have changed their name to adapt to American culture.

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:06:59 PM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
I see a lot of Asians at my job and a lot of the have "Americanized" names. We have one lady that goes by Diane, but her real name is Xiaxen.

The Chinese see and hear various English or Western names through media. They like the cool sounding ones or ones associated with someone who is cool, pretty, attractive, and/or likeable and ones that they themselves can pronounce. They do it mainly so that their Western co-workers/friends can pronouce a name that most everyone won't screw up. It's assumed we, the Americans, can't pronounce Chinese names properly. And, it's true.

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:13:58 PM EDT

[#42]

This is why.

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:17:15 PM EDT

[#43]

we have people in WV that change their names. Usually ashamed of who they are .
Usually in our area there are families that everyone knows to stay away from..

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:21:16 PM EDT

[#44]

Because nobody takes threats from a terrorist named Maynard J. Lablonski seriously.

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:21:39 PM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:

Quoted:

My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

well, that explains it. thanks.

It is common of many cultures

I'm not Catholic (so a real catholic will have to help us out)

but as they get "confirmed: they will add a saints name

So "Mr Harry Old Man" would be "Mr Harry Old Joe Man" (Joe being the name of a saint).

(I did not use a real saints name since I really don't know them)

There is a confirmation name. But currently most use it just for confirmation and not after that.

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:24:32 PM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
I wouldn't say it's 'common'

I just don't see people changing their names for religious reasons except for muslims. and that still doesn't really answer the question, which is why muslims change their names.

It is an old tradition. Signifies a change of who you are, laying down the old and taking up the new. As stated before, it is also done in Christian faiths, though less common now.

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:26:50 PM EDT

[#47]

Growing up on the border of Newark, a few of us had alias when we were in country.
MyHat MyCoat, Yusef Mostuffa and I was Evergreen Ramirez. I can't believe I remember these name...I am LMAO about that.

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:28:22 PM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:

Quoted:
My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

well, that explains it. thanks.

Sure thing. I am Catholic too. Muslims are not alone in changing their names to a religious one.

Previously, Catholic doctrine required a [Catholic] saint's name to be chosen. In a way, it is much like a muslim taking Mohammad's name.

MN, my buddy only changed his first name. He chose John if it matters to anyone.

Monks do it too.
My cousin who is a Redemptorist changed his to Brother David.
That's not the name he was born with.

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:34:49 PM EDT

[#49]

To get around the no fly list

Posted: 4/10/2010 6:41:42 PM EDT

[#50]

Quoted:

Quoted:
My Korean roommate had a Catholic name.

When I was stationed in Korea I had a Korean born American roommate, he had a very heavy Korean accent, although he didn't speak Korean. He was Born in Korea, his parents came to the US when he was very young, he grew up in Atlanta. His parents knew that they were going to leave Korea for the US before he was born so they gave him an "American" name.

His name was "James Tiberius Kim". I am dead serious, you can't make shit like that up.

That's great.
Obviously they re-run Star Trek in Korea.

I know two guys named Bill Lee.
One is Chinese and the other one is from Virginia.
Chinese Bill is quite aware that having a Chinese last name that is identical to a common Anglo name is fortuitous.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why do muslims change their names? (Page 1 of 2)

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