Is It a Sin to Change Your Name? What Does the Bible Say?

[trinitygrace]

Hey everyone. I'm thinking about changing my name. I have a unisex name that is mostly a boy's name. I've always wished I had a more feminine name and I'm thinking about going by my middle name - Lea. Please let me know if the Bible says anything about changing your name. I want to know what God thinks.

Thanks in advance for your advice! God Bless!

 

[abbasdaughter]

Hey everyone. I'm thinking about changing my name. I have a unisex name that is mostly a boy's name. I've always wished I had a more feminine name and I'm thinking about going by my middle name - Lea. Please let me know if the Bible says anything about changing your name. I want to know what God thinks.

Thanks in advance for your advice! God Bless!

Trinitygrace: I'm not certain about the "legal name change" thing, but in concept God certainly doesn't have a problem with changing the names of people!

In fact, did you know that you already have a new name in the heavenlies? "To him who overcomes" [we have already overcome as believers...]"I (God) will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." Revelation 2:17 No one else will even know what that name is! It's God's special name for you! I love that!

Also, God continually changed the names of His servants - Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, Saul became Paul... God likes our name to fit how HE sees us. [Gideon was in a winepress threshing wheat out of fear - He was basically a coward - and yet God shows up and calls him "valiant warrior"!] God sees us through the blood of Christ. It's possible God sees you as much more "feminine" than your given name too!

I don't think He would have a problem with you using a different name. FYI - I go by my middle name all the time. I put my first name initial in front of it sometimes, for business stuff, but I basically choose not to use my first name (it's a name that I think makes me sound fat! ) Silly, I know. Change away! abbasdaughter

 

[Robinsegg]

Many people in Scripture changed their names, or God changed them.
Abram/Abraham
Sarai/Sarah
Jacob/Israel
Naomi/Mara

In Biblical times, the name was meant to represent something about the person, or what the parents wished for that person.

One thought: Why did your parents choose this name for you? Did they have a special reason? Sometimes a name can reflect something your parents want strongly for you. They chose your middle name, too, so I don't see any problem even with that in using your middle name.

It will take time for people to "catch on", but eventually most people will call you by the name you've chosen.

Rachel

 

[trinitygrace]

Trinitygrace: I'm not certain about the "legal name change" thing, but in concept God certainly doesn't have a problem with changing the names of people!

In fact, did you know that you already have a new name in the heavenlies? "To him who overcomes" [we have already overcome as believers...]"I (God) will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." Revelation 2:17 No one else will even know what that name is! It's God's special name for you! I love that!

Also, God continually changed the names of His servants - Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, Saul became Paul... God likes our name to fit how HE sees us. [Gideon was in a winepress threshing wheat out of fear - He was basically a coward - and yet God shows up and calls him "valiant warrior"!] God sees us through the blood of Christ. It's possible God sees you as much more "feminine" than your given name too!

I don't think He would have a problem with you using a different name. FYI - I go by my middle name all the time. I put my first name initial in front of it sometimes, for business stuff, but I basically choose not to use my first name (it's a name that I think makes me sound fat! ) Silly, I know. Change away! abbasdaughter

That's awesome. I didn't know God had a name in store for us - a name that only He will give us! That makes me smile

I love my middle name. It is Lea - prounced Lee, however, when most people read it, they pronounce it Lea -a or Leah. I love that name! Leah is a bible name!

Thanks for your advice. I'll consider it. The only problem is, people catching on. That'll take awhile. So how long have you been going by your middle name? I am 23 and changing my name like that will be hard for others to catch on, I'm sure!

 

[trinitygrace]

Many people in Scripture changed their names, or God changed them.
Abram/Abraham
Sarai/Sarah
Jacob/Israel
Naomi/Mara

In Biblical times, the name was meant to represent something about the person, or what the parents wished for that person.

One thought: Why did your parents choose this name for you? Did they have a special reason? Sometimes a name can reflect something your parents want strongly for you. They chose your middle name, too, so I don't see any problem even with that in using your middle name.

It will take time for people to "catch on", but eventually most people will call you by the name you've chosen.

Rachel

My dad wanted to name me Felicia or Maranda. I think Marand is pretty. However, my mom wanted Bobbie (my name) because I have red hair and brown eyes, just like Jackie Zealand off of General Hospital. She was very surprised when I was born a redhead because she has dark brown hair and my dads was dark red and then was brown. I guess she really liked that soap! Plus, she always said Bobbie was a "country-girls name" and she has always liked country.

 

[abbasdaughter]

That's awesome. I didn't know God had a name in store for us - a name that only He will give us! That makes me smile

I love my middle name. It is Lea - prounced Lee, however, when most people read it, they pronounce it Lea -a or Leah. I love that name! Leah is a bible name!

Thanks for your advice. I'll consider it. The only problem is, people catching on. That'll take awhile. So how long have you been going by your middle name? I am 23 and changing my name like that will be hard for others to catch on, I'm sure!

I've been going by my middle name since the day I met my husband - 23 years. I used my nickname with my family and my first name with everyone else. My husband (boyfriend at that time!) started calling me by my middle name because it "sounds more feminine" (go figure...). When we both got saved a few years later - we had a new crowd to hang out with and I used my middle name with everyone - my husband introduced me that way. Pretty soon - it just stuck. My family adjusted - they still call me by my nickname, but they recognize that I use my middle name everywhere else. Transitions are weird, but worth it. God bless you. abbas daughter

 

[bliz]

Lea is a beautiful name, and if feels more like you, by all means start to use it!

I know a number of people who are called one name by family and another by friends and co-workers, or who have changed their names at various stages of their lives.

 

[trinitygrace]

I really do love my middle name. I kinda like my first name. I don't HATE it, however I have grown to be pretty feminine. I am not prissy but I embrace being a woman. I am also a writer and I think my middle name goes better with my last name than my first. I hope that makes sense.
I just don't know how to make that transition and I'm so worried about what others think. That is something I struggle with. Everyone will ask me why I want to be known by my middle name after being known by my first for 23 years. I just wouldn't know where to start with this important transition.
Plus, will I have to legally change it? How much does it cost?

 

[silentpoet]

I think Saul of Tarsus might object to name changes.