Changing name upon conversion?

Salaam,

I'm a very recent convert to Islam and I know some people change their names upon conversion. I read that changing one's last name is discouraged because we should be called by the name of our father.

I am married and had changed my last name to my husband's. He is devoutly Christian and strongly Islamophobic (and I will likely end up separated and homeless when I tell him of my conversion, but that's a topic for another post). Do I need to change my name back to my father's to stay in keeping with Islam?

I know my Lutheran parents will not accept my embrace of Islam. I love them dearly, but I would actually very much like to change my name in order to reflect my commitment to Allah. I guess it would be powerfully symbolic for me. Like a fresh start.

To further complicate matters, I was adopted, so my maiden name was that of my adoptive father. I do not know my biological father's name or anything about him. My adoptive father has always been my dad in my eyes, of course, but does his being adoptive instead of biological make it okay for me to change my name?

Sorry if this is confusing. I just want to do the right thing and honor Allah. And I have sooo much to learn and am very much alone right now so I appreciate this forum.

Thanks.

Peace,

Lori (aka Betsy Ann)

thanks for your response. I guess my question is: is it *permissable*?

I actually want to change my name but I read somewhere that we are to keep the surname of our father. Does that only apply to biological father or also to adoptive father? If it's only biological, I don't know what his name was.

Thanks.