ACTS 13:9

 Q: What do you think about the theory that Paul took his name from Sergius Paulus, his first

 Gentile convert?

It is certainly possible since Romans sometimes adopted the name of an influential patron, but you would

expect the new name to be introduced after the conversion, not before. It is more likely that Saul already

the  Greek name Paul but now uses it exclusively since he will be traveling mainly in Gentile

territory. The common idea that Paul was his Christian name and Saul his Jewish name is unlikely.