Islam does not oblige Muslim people to choose specific names, Arabic or non-Arabic, for their children. It is rather up to people to choose the names for their children. However, selecting names should be pursuant to some Islamic rules that will be stated below. Islam emphasizes that Muslims should have good names and give good names to their children. It is reported in a hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “You will be called on the Day of Resurrection by your names and the names of your fathers, so have good names” (Abu Dawud).
It is not absolutely necessary for us to change our name as long as our name does not have any taint of shirk, or as long as it does not suggest ideas that are repugnant to Islam.
If the name, however, contains or implies shirk (associating partners with Allah) or contains ideas that are repugnant to Islam, one must change it.
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: There is no need for us to change our names unless it carries meanings contrary to the teachings of Islam.
If, however, the name carries any meaning that is contrary to the Islamic concepts and beliefs, then we must change it; otherwise, there is no need to do so. It is a well-known fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) approved the names of people which were given to them by their pagan parents or ancestors; he allowed them to keep them. He only changed such of their names that had un-Islamic bearings or unpalatable connotations. Hence, we are told that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) changed the name of `Abd Al-Ka`bah (servant of Ka`bah) to `Abdullah (servant of Allah). He also changed names such as Sa`b (difficult to deal with) to Sahl (easy to deal with); Harb (war) to Salam (peace), etc.
