When a non-Jew converts to Judaism he/she usually changes their name to a Jewish name, so Why didn't Onkelus change his name upon becoming a Ger?
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3Maybe he did in fact?– msh210 ♦Dec 28, 2018 at 6:39
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4How common is the practice today, that not doing so warrants a reason? How common was it at the time of Onkelus?– Tamir EvanDec 28, 2018 at 6:43
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1This is a very interesting question about today practice and a question about old practice. An hypothesis: Maybe he was very known with his first name and people continued to call him onkelos.– koutyDec 28, 2018 at 8:56
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2Also, why his conversion is always stressed "Onkelos HaGer"? Maybe the two are related?– Al BerkoDec 28, 2018 at 9:37
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3[Tvunah.org](tvunah.org/… ) quotes the Maharsham that there is no issur for a convert to remain with his original name, although a change of name is advisable.– Avrohom YitzchokDec 29, 2018 at 19:25
1 Answer
Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky was asked this question and he said since this was done in order to show that a person that came from the Roman royal family converted.
ושאלו את מרן שליט"א מדוע אונקלוס הגר לא שינה את שמו, והשיב שמאחר שאין זה הלכה אלא רק מנהג, לכן העדיף אונקלוס להישאר עם שמו, כי היה בכך כבוד שאונקלוס, שהיה מגזע הקיסרות הרומאית, התגייר