Daniel was given the Babylonian name Belteshazzar. His three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were given the names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Daniel 1 places the name changes inside Babylon's attempt to reshape young exiles for royal service. The new names belong with the new language, education, and food from the king's court. Daniel's story shows that the empire can rename the exiles, but it cannot finally define their loyalty.
The names help readers follow the rest of Daniel. The same faithful exiles who receive Babylonian names later refuse food compromise, face the furnace, and serve under foreign kings without surrendering their God-given identity.
6Now among these were, of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7The prince of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniel he gave [the name of] Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, [of] Shadrach; and to Mishael, [of] Meshach; and to Azariah, [of] Abed-nego.