The change of names could, have no good design. No doubt it was to make them forget both the Lord, and their interest in Him as a covenant God. The custom in Israel, of giving names to their children, which, either by direct words, or indirect meaning; had reference to the God of their fathers, was very ancient, and, no doubt, arose from the Lord. For we find that the Lord himself gave names to his people, and sometimes changed their names upon any remarkable occasion. See Genesis 17:5-15 and Genesis 32:28. And holy men of old were very fond of calling their children by somewhat remarkable, in order to keep in remembrance the Lord's grace or his providence. Thus in the instance before us, Daniel's name signified, a God of judgment, or God is my judge. Hananiah had two of the letters which belong to the incommunicable name of Jehovah in it: and signified the Lord of grace, or the Lord is gracious to me. Michael, conveyed in the sense of it, t he strength of God; and Azariah, a compound of Azar and JAH, implied the Lord is my help. So that the very names always carried with them a blessed allusion to the Lord God of their fathers. But, Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego, were all in allusion to the dunghill idols of Babylon. Thus Belteshazzar referred to their idol Bel; and Rack and Shack are supposed to have been idols also; and Abed or Obed, a servant of Nego, another contemptible idol of the Babylonians. For it appears that they had many which they worshipped. And indeed, when by sin man revolted from the Lord, in the unity of the divine nature, existing in a threefold character of person, as the Patriarchs adored the God of Israel; and turned from one only and true God, the transition was easily then made to many. How blessedly the Apostle speaks to this subject, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6. I cannot forbear remarking, that the names given to the planets by philosophers, as they are called, of modern times, is but too near a kin to the conduct of Eastern manners among idolaters. And it is in my view, a sad reproach to a nation like ours, professing godliness.
Related Commentaries of Daniel 1:6
Daniel 1:6-7
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.