Why did Gregor Mendel change his name from Johann Mendel to Gregor Mendel?

Answer 1

Gregor Mendel changed his birth name because at a young age his father left home before he was born. His mother died while giving birth to her son. But knowing she would die she named her son before she passed to Johann because that was his fathers name. After she passed gregor wet to live wth his aunt on his mothers side. His aunt was ver absive for she already had two other children of her own to look after. So she treated young Gregor unfairly by making him work. One day he ran away to join a monastary. There told them his name was Gregor because he didn't want his aunt to find him, and it stuck to him from there. He liked the name Gregor because his only friend back at his aunts house was named gregory. But at the age of 8 Gregory died from small pox. so therefor it was in memory of Gregory.

-Hope this helps!

Um. I have NO idea if that's true or not. I've learned that Mendel lived on a family farm, where he developed hobbies like gardening which later helped him discover genetics, and that he was able to go to school and eventually university, so I don't think that explanation is true. From what I've learned, Mendel changed his name after joining the monastic life and becoming a monk. I think its a requisite to take up a new name.

Answer 2

Gregor Mendel became a monk in the Augustinian order and took the name Gregor upon entering the monastery. The name change was a common practice among monks when they took their religious vows.