William Jackson Harper's character was originally named Chris before being renamed Chidi. The early casting announcement for NBC's The Good Place identified Harper's role as “Chris,” a placeholder name used while the series was still being developed.
The character became Chidi Anagonye, an ethics professor from Nigeria who is introduced as Eleanor Shellstrop's supposed soulmate. His expertise in moral philosophy drives much of the show's central story, especially Eleanor's attempt to become a better person.
Chris is not an alternate identity used in the finished series, which is why it can be confused with Chidi's actual name. Harper was cast on February 11, 2016, several months before the show premiered on September 19, 2016. The character's final name also fits the show's emphasis on thoughtful, carefully chosen identities and its international ensemble.
A nearby casting change involved Jameela Jamil's character, who was originally announced under a different name before becoming Tahani. D'Arcy Carden's character was also initially described with a deliberately misleading identity before Janet's true nature was established.