Questioner: I would wish to ask you, could an Ahmadi person change their name from their previous name?
Huzur (rh): Anybody can change their name from their previous name. Why to specify an Ahmadi? I mean what is the thing which is bothering you? Why to specify an Ahmadi for this question? Any human being has full right to change his name as many times as he pleases. Like you change your clothes? But that would not be practical at all. It would be so confusing for all your friends. You want to change your name?
Questioner: Yes, I was just thinking.
Huzur (rh): What is your name? Alia. Alia Mukhtar. It’s a beautiful name. Why do you change it?
Questioner: Because my first name was Zainab.
Huzur (rh): So why do you?
Questioner: My aunt/grandmother? named me Alia. So I want to be called Alia. I also like the name Zainab.
Huzur (rh): So you can keep both? Zainab Alia Mukhtar?
Questioner: Yes.
