Why did Benjamin Banneker change his name to Banneker?

Answer 1

It was the custom in colonial times for slaves or freed slaves to take the surname of their masters. As you know, slaves coming from Africa had names like Bannaka, which was later converted to Banneker. It was an homage of Molly Welsh (Walsh) to her Timbuktu prince Banna ka. It was later anglicised to Banneker after Mary (the daughter of Molly and Bannaka) married a slave named Robert, who also accepted the name as is own. The etymology of Banna ka to Banne ka to Bannakay to Banneker is very interesting indedd.

Answer 2

he wanted to become scholar/mathematician