Warm greetings, ICAdams.
I was thinking of changing my name also, but I read the following (
from somewhere on this site), and now I am giving it further thought before changing. We must be sensitive to the feelings of our parents who chose our names for us with love in their hearts.
Please remember the following is a quote, and I do not necessarily agree with all of it, but it is food for thought.
"The original converts to Islam at the time of the Prophet (pbuh) usually kept the Arabic name they always had. The only exceptions were people who had a name with unpleasant or pagan connotations. So-called "Muslim names" are, in the main, simply Arabic ones or traditional names from countries that were early adopters of Islam. There is no requirement for a new Muslim to adopt one of these.
While I respect the choice of those Muslim converts who have adopted a new name, I expect all Muslims to respect the right of other converts such as myself to retain their original name. I generally now use my "real" name. Sadly I have come under pressure from some ignorant born Muslims on this matter.
To be frank, I feel that adopting a "muslim name", makes it easier for one's existing circle of family and friends to dismiss one's conversion to Islam as an act of eccentricity which they can brush off. By changing one's name and starting to wear, say, Pakistani clothing, one confirms in their minds the foreignness or alien nature of what is supposed to be universal Islam. I believe that these actions, or dare I say distractions, make it harder for most people from non-Muslim countries to identify with Islam, the welcoming and inclusive universal religion open to all, and see how it could be relevant to their own lives.
The spiritually motivated western convert to Islam, whose Islam is centered on God not agitation, has a golden opportunity to depoliticize the widespread negative western perception of Islam and to diminish the impression that Islam is for strange, backward, sometimes frightening foreigners--Arabs and Asians--but not for westerners. In my view, this opportunity is thrown away or at the very least is hobbled by self-inflicted damage when a western convert unnecessarily adopts a foreign name and clothing, thus only reinforcing the preconceived notions and prejudices that non-Muslim fellow westerners tend to hold about Islam.
I think it is also important to bear in mind here the teaching of Islam with regard to one's duty to family, particularly one's parents even if they are themselves non-Muslims. "Your Lord had decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you are kind to parents whether one or both of them attain old age in your lifetime. Say not to them a word of contempt or repel them but address them in terms of honor..."
I felt that it was important that my parents who are both practicing Catholics should realize that I was not rejecting them, my upbringing or most of the things they held dear.... In my case, I felt that abandoning for no good reason the very name given me by my loving parents would have been straining the ties of relationship, creating displeasure and certainly not indicative of showing kindness to or taking friendly care of my mother and father. "He who wishes to enter paradise at the best gate, must please his father and mother.""
I myself had planned to legally change my name, but now I think that would unnecessarily offend my parents. Instead, I will use my muslim name with my muslim friends, and let my family continue to call me by my birth name. Perhaps I will change it after their death, if I feel it is important. For now, however, harmony in the family is more important to me.
Food for thought!