When Jon Snow was introduced on Game of Thrones, he was infamously known as Ned Stark's bastard. As it turns out, not one part of his identity is true — not his legitimacy at birth, not who his father is, and not his name. While that changes things in terms of the line of succession, it might not make a huge difference in terms of the man himself. Will Jon Snow change his name to Aegon Targaryen on Game of Thrones?
Here's the thing. Jon Snow didn't want to be Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. He didn't want to be King in the North. He almost certainly doesn't want to sit on the Iron Throne. He also probably won't want to be called Aegon Targaryen.
Unlike Gendry, who took to his newfound Baratheon heritage surprisingly well, the Jon Snow that everyone knows and loves is far too brooding and frowny to shed his painful childhood as the bastard of Winterfell. He'd take the furry cape off of his shoulders faster than the burden of his name.
He also seems to be a big proponent of nurture over nature in general. One big clue about Jon's decision is the scene from the Season 7 finale between Jon and Theon Greyjoy. Jon told Theon that the family that raised him was just as important as his family by blood. He can be both Stark and Greyjoy. That is almost certainly foreshadowing the dilemma that Jon will face in Season 8 when and if he ever learns that he is half Targaryen.
There's also the small concern that his new name will remind him that he slept with his own aunt. Who needs to think about that 24/7?
On the other hand, his true name is all that he has left of his mother, Lyanna Stark. She told her brother that his name was Aegon on her deathbed. That's a strong emotional sentiment. Jon may have been raised with Ned Stark as a father figure, but he never really had a mother. If there was a reason that Jon Snow would forgo his upbringing and take on this new name, it would be to honor his mother's memory and wishes.
This wouldn't be the first time that a TV character has changed names mid-series. Over in the Marvel universe, Skye on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is Daisy Johnson now. Jerry on Parks and Recreation went through several name changes, but not by choice.
It is possible that everyone will call Jon "Aegon" by the end of the series — everyone, that is, except the fans. They're not having the sudden switch.
Why Ned chose the name "Jon" to begin with is just one of many questions fans have about this reveal.
Maybe he'll find a compromise and invent a new name for himself that represents both halves of his story. Aegon Snow? Lord Stargaryen? Jon Stark-Targaryen? Aejon? There are plenty of possibilities.
While it doesn't seem likely that Game of Thrones will casually switch Jon Snow to Aegon Targaryen overnight, it is a pressing conflict that's far less dangerous than the Night King but still important as the show goes into Season 8 — particularly when it comes to Jon Snow's destiny and choices from here on out.
