Why do several people in the Bible have more than one name?

TL;DR:

Several people in the Bible have more than one name for various reasons. Some had names in different languages, some had their names changed by people, and some had their names changed by God.

Various people in the Bible have multiple names for various reasons. Some, like Ahasuerus in Esther 1:1, are known biblically by one name and remembered in history by another, Xerxes in this case. Others have names as understood in two languages, some had their names changed by a ruler or authority, and some had their names changed by God Himself.

Understanding that multiple names are sometimes used to refer to the same person can be helpful in researching supposed biblical discrepancies. For example, in Matthew 1:9, Uzziah is listed as the father of Jotham, but in 2 Kings 15:1–17 and 1 Chronicles 3:12, his name is given as Azariah. Reading further in 2 Kings 15, though, we see that Jotham's father was known both as Azariah (2 Kings 15:7) and Uzziah (2 Kings 15:32).

The concept of one person having multiple names is not foreign to us. Today, it is common for a person to go by many names. Someone named James may be known as Jim or Jimmy to some; Red to others, due to his red hair; and Junior to his family, due to his being named after his father. James might even go by his middle name, Fredric. If he traveled overseas, translations of his name would be used; for example, in Spain, he would be called Santiago. Each of these names still refers to the same person.

The most wide-spread change of names will come when we get a new name from Jesus: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it" (Revelation 2:17).

from the old testament

Some people's names were changed by people.
When Joseph was sold into slavery and ended up working in Egypt, Pharaoh gave him the name Zaphenath-paneah (Genesis 41:45).
Daniel's name was changed to Belteshazzar by Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar also changed the names of Daniel's friends to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in honor of Babylonian gods (Daniel 1:7).
In 2 Kings 23:34, King Josiah's son's name, Eliakim, was changed by Pharaoh Neco to Johoiakim.
Esther's name was Hadassah originally. It was changed in Persia, most likely to honor the goddess Ishtar.
Some people changed their names or were given other names after a significant event.
Gideon was called Jerubbaal ("let Baal contend") after he destroyed the false god's altar (Judges 6:32).
Naomi (which means "pleasant" or "sweet") changed to Mara (which means "bitter"). Naomi chose this name for herself after experiencing great personal loss to reflect her grief and bitterness (Ruth 1:20).
Some people have multiple names due to translation.
Joshua is the Anglicized version of the Hebrew Jesus.
At times, there is no explanation given for the same person having different names. For example, Moses's father-in-law is known as Reuel and Jethro (Exodus 2:18; 3:1).
The following people from the Old Testament had their names changed:
Abram (which means "exalted father") to Abraham (which means "father of many") to signify God's promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5).
Sarai to Sarah to reflect that she would be the mother of nations and kings of peoples would come from her (Genesis 17:15).
Jacob (which means "supplanter" or "heel-grabber") to Israel (which means "he struggles with God" or "prince with God") after he wrestled with an angel of God to signify his struggle and prevailing with God (Genesis 32:28).
Hoshea (which means "salvation") to Joshua (which means "the Lord is salvation"). Moses changed his name to signify that the Lord would bring salvation (Numbers 13:16).

from the new testament

Some people have multiple names due to translation. For example, John is the Greek form of Jona (Jonah).
The following people from the New Testament had their names changed:
Simon (which means "he has heard") to Peter (Cephas) (which means "rock"). Jesus gave Simon the name Peter to indicate that he would be the rock upon which Jesus would build His church (John 1:42; Matthew 16:18).
Saul to Paul. After his conversion to Christianity, Saul began to use his Roman name, Paul, as he became the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 13:9).

implications for today

Names can carry significant meaning and reflect various aspects of our identity, authority, or destiny. Names were changed by rulers, reflecting power dynamics, by individuals to mark significant events or personal transformations, or by God Himself, indicating divine purposes. Understanding these changes helps resolve discrepancies and highlights the depth of biblical narratives. Just as biblical characters had multiple names, people today may have various names, reflecting different aspects of their lives or cultural contexts. Ultimately, names in the Bible remind us of the significance of identity and the transformative power of a relationship with God, as seen in the promise of new names mentioned in Revelation.

understand

Several biblical figures have more than one name.
Having multiple names varied due to linguistic differences, changes by people or rulers, and divine intervention.
Names were changed to reflect identity, destiny, or significant events, seen in biblical figures like Abraham, Peter, and Paul.

reflect

What do you learn about God and people as it relates to their names?
Have you ever experienced a significant event or personal transformation that made you reconsider your identity or the meaning of your name?
In what ways do you think your name or nickname reflects who you are or who you aspire to be?

engage

How do names signify meaning and reflect different aspects of identity and destiny?
How does the practice of having multiple names in the Bible reflect cultural, historical, and religious beliefs of that time?
Can you think of modern examples where people change their names or are known by different names in different contexts, similar to biblical figures? How does this reflect our understanding of identity today?