Why did Malcolm Little change his name to Malcolm Apex?
Malcolm Little changed his name to Malcolm X as a symbol of his rejection of his "slave name" and to represent his lost tribal identity. The "X" signifies the unknown surname of his African ancestors, reflecting his belief in the need to reclaim his heritage. Later, he adopted the name Malcolm El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz after his pilgrimage to Mecca, further emphasizing his transformation and commitment to Islam.