Short answer
No. You can keep your name after accepting Islam. A change is only needed if the name has a meaning against Islam, such as servant of someone other than Allah, or a clearly bad meaning. Choosing a new Muslim name is allowed and many converts like it, but it is optional. All four schools agree.
Keeping one's existing name is mubah (permitted) when its meaning is acceptable. Changing a name that means worship of other than Allah, or that has an ugly or sinful meaning, is wajib or strongly recommended depending on how bad the meaning is. Taking a beautiful new name is mustahabb but never a condition of Islam.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Many Companions kept the names they had before Islam. The Prophet ﷺ changed names only when the meaning was a problem, for example a name meaning disobedient or one that suggested pride. A name like John, Sarah, David, Mary, Adam or Joseph is the English form of a prophet's or righteous person's name and is fine. Most ordinary Western names have neutral meanings and are fine too.
Names worth changing are those that mean servant of a false god, names of deities, or names with a clearly sinful or ugly meaning. If you are unsure about your name's meaning, a quick look at its origin usually settles it. The four schools agree on this.
- Your father's name and surname: keep them. Islam asks people to be called by their real fathers, so do not replace your father's name with "bin Abdullah" as if it were your lineage.
- Legal paperwork: there is no religious need to change your legal name. Some converts use a Muslim name socially and keep their legal name.
- Family feelings: parents sometimes feel hurt by a name change. Keeping your name can be a kindness to them.
If you do want a new name, pick one with a good meaning. Names like Abdullah and Abdur-Rahman are among the most loved by Allah. Browse Islamic names with meanings for ideas.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Ahzaab 33:5
ٱدْعُوهُمْ لِءَابَآئِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَمَوَٰلِيكُمْ ۚ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌۭ فِيمَآ أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًا ﴿٥﴾
Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah. But if you do not know their fathers - then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.
People should keep their true lineage, so a convert keeps their father's name.
Sahih Muslim 2139
Sahih... كانت يقال لها عاصية فسماها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جميلة ...
"A daughter of Umar was called Asiyah (disobedient), so the Messenger of Allah named her Jamilah (beautiful)."
The Prophet ﷺ changed names because of a bad meaning, not because they were from before Islam.
Sahih Muslim 2132
Sahih... إن أحب أسمائكم إلى الله عبد الله وعبد الرحمن ...
"The most beloved of your names to Allah are Abdullah and Abdur-Rahman."
If you choose a new name, these carry special virtue.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Hazr wa al-Ibahah, the section on names. Discusses recommended and disliked names and names that must be changed.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.