Q: Regarding naming when a person converts to Islam, do they have to change their name to an Islamic name?

A: It is not one of the conditions of becoming a muslim that one must change your name.

Mufti Abdul Rehman

website note:  A name represents who we are, who we choose to identify with.   Hence, while it is not a condition of becoming or remaining a Muslim, many people choose names that are Islamically-identified. They do this once they are comfortable with all aspects of their “new” identity, and are willing and eager to be known clearly as Muslim. As such, many people keep their birth names for professional reasons, and prefer to be called by their Islamic names within the Muslim community.  All approaches are equally valid, when you keep in mind that name-changing is not a condition of being or becoming a Muslim.