It's most common in comic books but it can also be movies, tv shows, books and other forms of fiction.
When I say bad characters as in characters that are bad ideas and no writer no matter how great the writer is can't make them a good idea.
It doesn't mean they can't be made a successful character but if one has to change 60 percent of a character or most of it that they are barely recognizable then it's basically admitting they are a failure that needed a makeover much like the bars in the tv show bar rescue need a makeover along with changes.
Paste pot Pete
He must have been high, drunk, Delusional or all three to believe this wasn't a garbage or putrid name and used it. There is further undeniable evidence it was putrid whenever spider man reminds him he once used this putrid name which pisses him off.
Also spider man laughed when he first introduced himself.