Original is/was

[Xinfu]

-John's original name is Edward.(his original name is permanent truth, so the simple present tense)
-John's original name was Edward.(the original name was used in the past, so the simple past tense)

I think the two are almost the same, differing only in what aspect the speaker wants to emphasize; do you agree?

[poli]

I think both mean the same. If you word it differently, however, the past tense is used exclusively. Here's another way of wording it:
Originally, John's name was Edward.

[Xinfu]

I think both mean the same. If you word it differently, however, the past tense is used exclusively. Here's another way of wording it:
Originally, John's name was Edward.
um...what do you mean by 'exclusively'?