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I know that some Catholic nuns chose new names, like Mother Teresa (previously Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu), and others didn't, like Sister Helen Prejean.
What determines whether a woman changes her name on taking her vows? Is it up to the individual, or do different orders have their own particular rules or customs?
Name changes in the Bible indicate a significant change in the life of the person. For example,
Abram became Abraham.
"No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations." (Gen 17:5)
Jacob became Israel.
Then he said, "Your name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." (Gen 32:28)
Simon became Cephas, which means rock.
"So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). (John 1:42)
Having said that, it is really up to the individual to take a new name. Usually, they like to take the name of a saint whom they are inspired by.
Since my childhood, I have known hundreds of various religious, both men and women. I even live very close to a Benedictine Monastery of monks, where I did my high school.
Do religious choose their own religious name?
First of all, it depends on the particular Order or Congregation, as some institutions still keep the tradition of their religious changing their names, while others do not. This applies to both men and women.
Amongst those places, where this tradition is still in place, whether of men or women, the aspirant gives three names to their immediate superior to choose from. The superior is free to choose from these three names, but is not bound to choose from them either. It is in no way, the individual Religious who makes the final decision in their new name.
