Name change conflict

[Divine Kala]

I am feeling very conflicted within myself. On the one hand I understand that assuming a Hindu name and going through the namakrana ceremony will cement, for both me and others, my commitment to Hinduism as a religion, lifestyle and philosophy but on the other hand I have to admit that I really, really like my given name and respect it as a gift given to me by my mother at birth. She gave me this name, who am I to change it, regardless of religious leanings?

I honestly do not know what to do.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam Divine Kala:

Please don't change your name unless you are absolutely convinced it would be beneficial. There are many many western people who follow Sanatana Dharma without taking that step. Just a guess here, but I would say the ratio is about 200 to 1 in favor of adopting SD without changing your name ... perhaps even higher.

Aum Namasivaya

[Adhvagat]

My opinion is that a person should only go through ceremonies and rites after they already feel it internally, not the other way around.

When you take a step you're not really prepared to take, it will end up hurting you more when you need to take two steps back to make up for the mistake.

The same thing applies to vows, I was talking to a friend that decided to be vegan, but didn't manage to sustain it and end up eating a nice creamy cheese pizza. I told her: Wouldn't it be better to take less extreme vows and others throughout the years and avoid breaking the potency of a mantained vow? In my opinion, it is better because the mind really gets humbled when you confront her with the fact that you are capable of a sadhana.

On the other hand I think changing names is much needed rite of passage in due time. Not really common in western society, but needed anyway.

[PARAM]

Changing Name is not necessary, just pronounce it in Sanskrit or any hindu way

[sunyata07]

Namaste Divine Kala,

I am in agreement with the others on this. Why all the rush to change one's name? There is really no sense and no benefit in deciding to change your name legally unless you are certain beyond all doubt that it feels right. I have considered it once in the past early on in my sadhana, but I feel that my circumstances are such that I am still tied up here and that it would possibly be more of a hindrance than a step forward in my spiritual progress for the time being. I haven't ruled it out, and I'm not saying you should either - I'm just thinking I might leave the official name changing later on when I've "settled" down some more. Maybe you might consider the same? Otherwise, the respect you have for the name your mother chose for you at birth is something I would not challenge. I think that type of feeling is there for a reason, and in my personal opinion, it's best to leave that kind of thing alone out of reverence for one's parents. Unless you are planning to become a proper renunciate anytime in the near future, name change is not absoluately necessary!

Someone else has mentioned such a topic before. I can't quite remember who brought it up about half a year ago, but the poster asked something similar about changing his name legally to a Hindu one. He intimated that he was not quite happy with doing it officially just yet, but was it all right if he/she could adopt a name informally and come to be known by that in the spiritual community (either here on HDF or in the local temple, satsang, etc.). He chose one himself and presented it here to the forum and everyone gave their approval, so maybe you could do the same or something to that effect?

Om namah Shivaya

[charitra]

Namaste. No need for name change. Only those who elect to live in a hindu monastery ought to take that extreme step.Shanti.

[sarangi dasi]

I am feeling very conflicted within myself. On the one hand I understand that assuming a Hindu name and going through the namakrana ceremony will cement, for both me and others, my commitment to Hinduism as a religion, lifestyle and philosophy but on the other hand I have to admit that I really, really like my given name and respect it as a gift given to me by my mother at birth. She gave me this name, who am I to change it, regardless of religious leanings?

I honestly do not know what to do.

The Divine has infinite names. So what is the problem with you having two? One for your relationship with your family roots (and for legal/official purposes) and a spiritual name as well.

In any case every orthodox Hindu child has two names following birth, a public one and a secret astrological one. Then, later in life, they may have a spiritual name when they go through some initiation. Even then, some sects accept the idea that each of us has an eternal personal identity in the divine realms. And so it goes.

If you want to be "monogamous" about a name perhaps you need to reconsider whether you are ready to embrace the broader spirit of SD.