Anime & Manga
As Mistress of the Night Sky, I grant you a new name. One who supports and helps others. You are no longer cursed. You are a tailwind of fortune, a breeze full of blessings… Hello, Reinforce.
— Hayate Yagami, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's
Fan Works
Rikitatsu: You need to change your name. The name “Luz Noceda” has done nothing but drag you through the mud. And with Wittebane still at large and most likely in this world as well, I believe it best to become someone else.
Rikitatsu: If it helps things, I already have an idea. It may not be an English name, but it still fits you nonetheless. Should you agree, your new identity will be Toshiko, and, because you are my successor, you will inherit my last name of Shigaraki.
Luz: Toshiko… what does it mean? I hardly know anything about the Japanese language. But I do know names have meaning. What does Toshiko mean?”
Rikitatsu: Clever Child, of which you are. It could also mean Sharp or Quick Child, all of which apply to intelligence over anything else. For what it’s worth, it’s true. You are quite clever and creative. As for Shigaraki… well, it translates to something of the effect of a Family Tree Who Has A Grasp On Death. Which, considering everything, makes sense.
Luz: ...Then so be it. I am Toshiko Shigaraki.
— All For One renaming Luz, All For Luz
"Rei Ayanami is dead, I am not her. I am Rei Akagi, Ritsuko's little sister. I am not sure what I want to do when I grow up, but I would like to find out what it is like to kiss a boy. I think I would like to find out what it is like to kiss a girl, as well; Ritsuko said it was similar in most ways, but different in others."
— Rei, Doing It Right This Time
Terrador: It is time for you to choose another name to go by while you are here in the Dragon Realms.
Thomas: I still don't see the reason why I have to change my name, but I'll do it.
Spyro: Don't worry. You will see soon enough.
[A few minutes later]
Blaze: So, do we have an answer, young one?
Thomas: Sure. I will gladly accept the Dragon name, Blizzard!
Thomas: I still don't see the reason why I have to change my name, but I'll do it.
Spyro: Don't worry. You will see soon enough.
[A few minutes later]
Blaze: So, do we have an answer, young one?
Thomas: Sure. I will gladly accept the Dragon name, Blizzard!
Film — Live-Action
"The Force is strong with you. A powerful Sith you will become. Henceforth you shall be known as Darth...Vader."
Poe Dameron: Hey, what's your name?
FN-2187: FN-2187.
Poe: FN...what?
FN-2187: It's the only name they ever gave me.
Poe: Well, I ain't using it. "FN", huh? Finn! I'm gonna call you Finn, is that all right?
FN-2187/Finn: Yeah! Finn! I like that!
Poe: My name's Poe. Poe Dameron.
Finn: Good to meet you, Poe.
Poe: Good to meet you too, Finn.
FN-2187: FN-2187.
Poe: FN...what?
FN-2187: It's the only name they ever gave me.
Poe: Well, I ain't using it. "FN", huh? Finn! I'm gonna call you Finn, is that all right?
FN-2187/Finn: Yeah! Finn! I like that!
Poe: My name's Poe. Poe Dameron.
Finn: Good to meet you, Poe.
Poe: Good to meet you too, Finn.
Standby... Liberty-2-4 is changing callsigns — Liberty-2-4 is now Air Force One!
Literature
“I believe in the idea of a new PRT that Chevalier is talking about. I believe in it enough that I was willing to turn myself in and take action to bring it to fruition. That I was willing to leave everything I had behind. If I have to serve time in jail first, then so be it. If I face the Birdcage… I hope I don’t. But at least I could tell myself that seeing the supervillain step up might convince others to come back. Change the minds of heroes who gave up on the PRT for one reason or another. This is what I want to do, above all else. Given the chance, I’ll serve the people. As I fought Leviathan, the Slaughterhouse Nine and other evils, I’ll fight to the last gasp to protect all of you. When and if I do take up the job, you can call me Weaver."
"He abandoned his old life. He wore armour to disguise his old form. He took a new name to kill his old self. [.] Skulduggery Pleasant walked off the battlefield and Lord Vile walked into my Temple."
— Auron Tenebrae, Skulduggery Pleasant: Death Bringer
As for Carson, well, that was his private joke. He had found the word in a medical book for folks suffering from cancer, and Buddy figured that it pretty much summed up what he was - or what he had become. He was Buddy Carcinogenic, Buddy Carson for short.
By the time folks might have come to understand the humor, they were already dying.
Live-Action TV
"My name, my real name, that is not the point. The name I chose is the Doctor. The name you choose it's like, it's like a promise you make. He's the one who broke the promise."
— The Eleventh Doctor regarding the "War Doctor", "The Name of the Doctor"
Myths and Religion
When Abram prostrated himself, God continued to speak to him: "My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations. No longer shall you be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I am making you the father of a host of nations.[...]As for your wife Sarai, do not call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. Him also will I bless; he shall give rise to nations, and rulers of peoples shall issue from him."
— Book of Genesis 17:3-5, 15-16
Video Games
"When an Academy mage completes his studies, he is granted syllables of power, which become his new name. You are well beyond that point, but you are with the free magi now, so choose your own name. I was originally Rassin Tabin, but that is fairly ordinary, and at one point, it no longer suited."
— Ras-Tabahn, Battle for Wesnoth, Secrets of the Ancients, "Together Again"
"I would like a name to go with my new body."
— RR-40a, soon to be Bucket, Evolve
"To make this new Overwatch better - to make things right - he had to be honest with his team and himself. The cowboy he was rode into the sunset, and Cole Cassidy faced the world at dawn."
— Overwatch, regarding Cole Cassidy
Web Original
Lemons: (stutters) I'm sorry, your name is Sarge?
Sarge: Yup! Pappie always told me to dress for the job you want! Figured I'd just take it a little bit further. (laughs)
Sarge: Yup! Pappie always told me to dress for the job you want! Figured I'd just take it a little bit further. (laughs)
— "50 Shades of Red", Red vs. Blue
Western Animation
Rampage: Greetings, old playmate. So glad you could come!
Depth Charge: X!
Rampage: I'm called Rampage now! A bit obvious, but to the point. Don't you think?
Depth Charge: X!
Rampage: I'm called Rampage now! A bit obvious, but to the point. Don't you think?
Bitsy: This is your expert, Ashley? Is that her name?
Ashley: It was Debra, but nobody likes a Debra.
Helen: My mother's name was Debra.
Ashley: And?
Helen: Hmm.
Ashley: It was Debra, but nobody likes a Debra.
Helen: My mother's name was Debra.
Ashley: And?
Helen: Hmm.
— Central Park, Season 1 "A Fish Called Snakehead"
Snuffles: Where are my testicles, Summer? They were removed. Where have they gone?
Summer: Oh... Wow... That's an intense line of questioning, Snuffles.
Snuffles: Do NOT call me that! "Snuffles" was my slave name. You shall now call me Snowball, because my fur is pretty and white.
—Rick and Morty, "Lawnmower Dog"
