That's the part that's a myth: that it was widespread or normal. Of course small errors would happen.
But the main reason it didn't happen frequently is that employees at Ellis Island weren't even recording anyone's name. They were just checking them against manifests that were written elsewhere.
And when passengers were consulted about immigration-related issues, it was through an interpreter who would know the script and language of the arriving passenger.
I know it's a myth, but I wonder: did the myth become widespread because of the scene in The Godfather Part II where Vito changes his name to Corleone at Ellis Island? Or was the myth already widespread, and the moviemakers got the idea from the myth?
That's the part that's a myth: that it was widespread or normal. Of course small errors would happen.
But the main reason it didn't happen frequently is that employees at Ellis Island weren't even recording anyone's name. They were just checking them against manifests that were written elsewhere.
And when passengers were consulted about immigration-related issues, it was through an interpreter who would know the script and language of the arriving passenger.
More info: https://www.nypl.org/blog/2013/07/02/name-changes-ellis-isla...