Daniel 1:6-7 says, “Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel [the name] Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.” Daniel and his 3 young friends were Israel’s “king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men…gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand” (v. 3-4a) chosen to “serve before” (v. 5) Nebuchadnezzar. Their godly names were changed to local deities’ names: Daniel/God is judge to Belteshazzar/Bel protect the king, Hananiah/the Lord is gracious to Shadrach/Command of Aku, Mishael/who is like the Lord? to Meshach/who is what Aku is? and Azariah/the Lord is my helper to Abed-nego/servant of Nego (or Nebo). They did this to Babylonianize them. Since God has written his own name on us (Revelation 3:12), let’s refuse the world’s efforts to rename us.