Is there any position taken by the Torah which forbids the changing of one’s name? Being that Abram was changed to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, etc., it would appear to be an innocuous act, unless the ‘Jewishness’ of the name were the issue.

There is no problem changing one’s name as long as it isn’t changed to a non Jewish one. As a matter of fact, the Talmud encourages one to change their name if they need to facilitate a change in the spiritual flow (Mazal). Often a very ill person will have their name changed, as will someone who is repenting for serious sins committed (the latter is rare).

Changing one’s name to a non-Jewish one isn’t forbidden in Jewish law, however it is discouraged. The Midrash relates that the Jews in Egypt merited their redemption for four reasons: They didn’t slander, they didn’t change their names, clothing, or language. The latter three all help in preservation of Jewish identity.

Rabbi Meir Goldberg