How Did Nelson Mandela Get His Name?

Answer 1

On page 16 of his book Long walk to freedom he writes: because the people at the school could not pronounce his Xhosa name his teacher, Mrs. Mdingane, gave him (and all the other children) a "white" name ie Nelson

Answer 2

On his first day of school, his teacher called him Nelson instead of his actual name which was Rolihlahla.