In Rev elation 3, “NAME” is mentioned several times.

1. A white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
2.  I will write on him the name of my God,
3. The name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven,
4.  And my own new name.

Persons in the bible where their names were changed.

• Abram → Abraham: God changed Abram’s name, meaning “exalted father,” to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations,” marking his role as the patriarch
• Sarai → Sarai’s name meaning “princess” was changed to Sarah, reflecting her expanded role as the mother of nations
• Jacob → Israel: After wrestling with God, Jacob meaning “heel grabber” was renamed Israel, meaning “he struggles with God and prevails” symbolizing his spiritual transformation from letting go of grabbing what he wants to holding on to God.
• Simon/ Simeon in Hebrew meaning “to hear or to listen”  to Peter – stone.

Names are depicted in the Bible to associate with their role rather than a sound made up of syllables to identify a person.

In Revelation 3, believers will be given a new name. Indicating they will be given a new role.

So, in new heaven and new earth. Some probably will be named “ JUSTICE **” since they will be judging the angels. Some may be called “GOVERNOR **” because some will be ruling over a city or multiple cities.

AND … only that person who receives the new name will know/understand one’s new role or job-description.

 Write on him the name of my God –

Similarly, a new role will need a new specific directive from God to accomplish one’s task. Like for example as a GOVERNOR , God’s name to him would probably something like ”  WISDOM PROVIDER” . to the “JUSTICE “ God’s name maybe “JEHOVAH SHAPHAT”.

In the Bible God’s name was “my rock and my salvation” to David.

To Jacob God’s name was “EL Shaddai”

Name of God to Moses – “ The GREAT I AM”

Now, as far as the meaning of the white stone.  Here are the 3 traditional views:

1. Cast a white stone to signify an acquittal,
2. As tokens of admittance to events in the arena
3. A symbol of salvation.

All the revelation of God to people He tasks, God never used cultural symbols, practices of man as a pattern to illustrate reality in heaven. In other words, heaven is the original and practices of man is only a copy and not the other way around.

Example –the Tabernacle, Moses’ serpent on the pole, I am the bread, light, truth, path, rock, shield…etc.. are pictures of what is in heaven. and not bringing the practices of men into heaven for heavenly being to practice it.

So to interpret the white stone as copying the Roman’s cultural practices is debatable.

Symbol of salvation :  Believers in new heaven and new earth are redeemed people ( past tense) . Symbols are meaningless against the weight of reality.

Most likely explanation:

Jesus gave Simon a new name – Peter – Cephas/Kepha in ( Aramaic ) and Petros in ( Greek) can mean rock or stone. A new role that Jesus is /will be calling him to assume. “On this petra I will build my church”. Jesus is the builder not Peter, but Jesus set the first stone –Peter to birth His church. A non-succession position.