In the ancient world new names were sometimes given to people to reflect a new religious calling. There

are several Old Testament examples, and in such cases the new name was invariably given by a

superior to an inferior.

Six confirmed cases

In early Christianity we are explicitly told of six individuals who received new names. These are

Simon-Peter, James-Boanerges, John-Boanerges, Joseph-Barnabas, James-the Just-Oblias, and

Ignatius-Theophorus.

These six individuals were some of the most committed members of the early church. Peter was given

his name after he declared his commitment to Jesus as Christ. Barnabas sold a field and laid the money

at the apostles feet, and later delivered famine relief to Judea. Peter, James-Boanerges, James-the

Just-Oblias, and Ignatius-Theophorus all gave their lives for the faith. Peter, James-Boanerges, and

John-Boanerges tend to appear first in the lists of the twelve in the gospels and acts and this also

demonstrates their high level of commitment. James-Oblias, similarly, always leads the lists of the

brothers of Jesus. Barnabas, likewise, is first in the list of leaders in Antioch. It is not surprising that the

most committed individuals tended to receive new names, for they had received life-changing callings,

and it is appropriate that they should receive new names to reflect their new identity.

The meanings of the new names given to these six individuals tend to symbolize their commitment to the

movement. Peter is the rock on which the church was to be built (Matt 16:18). Similarly, James is

named "Oblias", which Hegesippus interprets, "Bulwark of the people". Ignatius has the name

"Theophorus" (God-bearer), which is an allusion to the practice of religious processions in which the

images of gods were paraded in their honor.

Also note that the new names were in the language of the churches that pertained: Greek in the case of

Ignatius-Theophorus, and Aramaic in the other cases.

Other probable cases

The survey of the confirmed cases given above provides criteria for identifying other recipients of new

names:

1. A high level of commitment to the faith community, as demonstrated by:

a) persecution of the individual

b) benefaction

c) prominence in lists of names

2. Possession of a Greek or Aramaic name that describes commitment to the church or is a metaphor

for such.

3. Possession of two names, or historical evidence that suggests that the individual had two names.

Timothy was Paul's most loyal companion and was "faithful in the Lord". He was later imprisoned for his

faith. His name is Greek and means "honoring God". There are abundant historical proofs that he was

none other than Titus by another name.

There are good reasons, which will not be explained here, to equate Sosthenes with Crispus, the

synagogue ruler (Acts 18:8). He probably became a benefactor of the fledgling church in Corinth, and

was beaten for his Christian faith. The name "Sosthenes" means "saving strength", and closely parallels

"Peter", "Oblias", and "Magdalene".

At great personal risk Gaius Titius Justus became the first convert in Corinth. He was a benefactor,

putting his house at Paul's service as a base for this preaching. We have inscriptional evidence that such

benefactors in synagogue communities were given crowns. It is argued that

Stephanas, which means "Crowned" or "Crown-bearer", was a new name given to Gaius Titius Justus.

Levi, the tax collector, became a follower of Jesus and was re-named "Matthew". His new name allowed

him to distance himself from his tax collector past.

Mary Magdalene was a benefactor of the Jesus movement and is mentioned first in the lists of female

disciples. "Magdalene" means "tower/fortress/stronghold", and was a metaphor for steadfastness. She

was probably given her name by Jesus and we need not suppose that she was from a place called

Magdala.

Jason may have fled from Thessalonica, and probably took the alias, "Aristarchus".

Gaius of Macedonia may have assumed the name "Alexander".

Stephen was a leader of the Hellenists in the Judean church and is mentioned first in a list of seven such

leaders. After Christ, he was the first martyr of the church. His name means "Crown", which was a

metaphor for commitment in the ancient world, including the Judeo-Christian tradition.

The author of Acts (Lucius-Luke) may have required anonymity for his own protection, and it is probable that

Theophilus, who probably sponsored the publication of the work, also required a form of anonymity. Thus,

it seems likely that "Theophilus", which means "lover of God" or "friend of God", was not the name by

which he was known to non-believers.

Agabus. This very rare name means "Locust", which is an appropriate nickname for this Old Testament

style prophet who warned of famine.

Joseph and Judas Barsabbas may have been brothers who received their surname from Jesus in much

the same way as the Boanerges brothers. Barsabbas means "son of the Sabbath" or "son of rest"

Simon the zealote may have been so named because of his zeal. We have no evidence that the term

"Zealote" was used for a specific political movement at the time of Jesus.

Further possible cases

James, son of Alphaeus may have been renamed "Nathanael"

Manaen was a prophet/teacher in Antioch and his name, appropriately, means "comforter", so may be a

new name.

Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, is mentioned first in the list of the seven who accompanied Paul to Judea (Acts

20;4). His name is an abbreviation of Sosipater (Rom 16:21), and means "saver of his father" or the like.

The mention of his father, Pyrrhus, is unusual in Acts, and we can suspect that he was named

"Sosipater" after he brought his father to the faith.

Saul may have taken the name "Paul" in adult life.

Onesimus means "useful" and may have been given his name by Paul.

Rheus Agathopous travelled swiftly to catch up with Ignatius who was being carried as a prisoner to

Rome. Agathopous means "good foot".

Lazarus may be the 'beloved disciple' and may have taken the name "John" as an alias.

Prophets, rebels and Messiahs

Elymas was a magician and (Christian?) false prophet. The name is interpreted to mean "magician" by

Luke and is therefore a new name that describes his role. He may have adopted his other name,

"BarJesus" (son of Jesus), because he saw himself as a successor to Jesus, in some way.

Theudas, while not a Christian, may have received his name, which probably means "gift of God", to

reflect his messianic role. Other messiah-figures were given such new names.

The importance of this study

The study of names is an important sub-discipline that is sadly over-looked by most New-Testament

scholars. In particular, the phenomenon of re-naming has been neglected by commentators, perhaps

because they come from cultures where religious name giving has never been particularly common, and

there is little persecution and so little need for aliases.

While this study gives us valuable information on some of the major and minor New Testament

characters, it has much wider implications. In particular, the case of Titus-Timothy allows us to resolve

some of the most long-standing critical issues relating to the chronology of Paul's journeys, the probable

destination of Galatians, the history of Paul's interactions with the Corinthians, and the pseudonymity of

the Pastoral Epistles. Furthermore, when Acts is read in the light of the Titus-Timothy hypothesis, the

Crispus-Sosthenes hypothesis, and the Gaius-Titius-Justus-Stephanas hypothesis, it is shown to be

historically accurate in a number of details. The historicity of Acts has been dismissed by many critics,

but the study of re-naming should cause them to re-think.

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