freed slaves names

When a slave was freed didn't he take the name of his former master?

But presumably not the entire name or the freedman would have the exact same name as his illustrious ex boss, and (if Hollywood had anything to do with it) he might accidentally become Consul!

Also if a wealthy patrician freed a number of slaves they couldn't ALL have the same name, could they?

So which bits did they keep and what got changed?

Also slightly off topic does anyone know if Caius Julius Caesar (b.140 - d.85 BC had any slaves freed on his death.

The slave receive his praenomen and nomen of his master while his original name became the cognomen.

For example the famous historian Josephus' Roman name is Titus Flavius Iosephus as he was liberated and granted citizenship by the Flavii emperors.

Aaaah, thank you. Of course.

And well done for getting an answer about names before Nephele.

The other good example is Marcus Tullius Tiro. Freedman, and former slave of Marcus Tullius Cicero. It was fashionable for slaves to have a Greek-style name (in this case Tiro). Following his manumission, Tiro took on the 'Marcus Tullius' of Cicero.