The principle that people are given different names is found many times in Scripture. Abram becomes Abraham (Gen. 17:5), Jacob becomes Israel (Gen. 32:28), Saul becomes Paul (Acts 13:9), etc. All these name changes have meaning and often the meaning is mentioned. We also read about Joseph that he is given a different name by Pharaoh.
Genesis 41
45 And Pharaoh called Joseph Zaphenath-Paneah, and gave him Asenath the daughter of Potipherah the priest of On to wife. And Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
Joseph receives this name after he is taken out of prison by Pharaoh and has interpreted his dreams. Pharaoh exalts Joseph, sets him over all Egypt (Gen. 41:40-41) and gives him a new name. The meaning of the name Safenat-Paneach in Egyptian is: Savior of the world. This points us to Christ Jesus of whom Joseph is a type. He is the Savior of the world (John 4:42, 1 John 4:14). As Joseph was placed over all Egypt, so God has made Jesus Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).
interpreter of mysteries
Safenat-Paneach is also translated as interpreter of mysteries. That seems to be the translation in Coptic, a language closely related to Egyptian. At the resurrection of Christ a period began that had previously been hidden, the household of the secret (among others Eph. 3:9). Also called the mystery. It was Paul who was allowed to make known the secret of Christ (Eph. 3:4).
other names
But the other names in Gen.41:45 also have a significant meaning. Joseph was given Asenath by Pharaoh as a wife. This means: dedicated to Neith, an Egyptian goddess of war. She is characterized by two symbols: the bow and a red crown. Images of victory and kingship. Asenath was a daughter of Potiphera, which means: given by Ra, the Egyptian sun god. Image of life and light. It is also mentioned that it concerns a priest: priesthood. On is the Hebrew name for Heliopolis, city of the sun. Here too the reference to the sun.
the Name above every name
Joseph was exalted to Savior of the world and an interpreter of mysteries. He received life, priesthood, victory, kingship and light, that is wisdom. A beautiful type of our Lord, Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God (1 Cor.1:30). He was, through a path of humiliation and death, exalted by God and to Him was given the Name above every name. Jesus means: YAHWEH saves! (Phil.2:9)