I reverted to Islam about four years ago. I never went to the mosque to declare my faith. Do I need to go to the mosque to do so? Also can I keep my name or do I have to change it?
Since the mosque is generally a community centre as well, where people come to know of one another, it has become a tradition in some parts of the world to formally declare faith in the mosque. However, going to the mosque for such declaration is not a requisite of Islam.
Changing your name is also not required if the meaning of the name is not against your basic beliefs. Though this may be a cultural need at times, it certainly is no religious need.