The health insurer formerly known as WellPoint Inc. officially changed its name to Anthem Inc. on Wednesday. The Indianapolis-based health insurer operates Thousand Oaks-based Anthem Blue Cross in California and has operations in multiple states under the Blue Cross, Blue Shield or Anthem trade names. The company said the change reflects the name that many people know for the company, and a consistent brand message will become increasingly important as individuals buy insurance individually under health reform rules. “The change to Anthem will help us better communicate our values and simplify the way we connect with our associates, consumers, investors and the communities we call home,” said Anthem CEO Joseph Swedish in a statement. Shareholders approved the name change at a special shareholders meeting on Nov. 5. The company’s new stock ticker is ANTM. The change to Anthem is a reversal of a decision 10 years ago. WellPoint Inc. was formed in 2004 when Indianapolis-based Anthem Inc. completed a $16.5 billion merger with WellPoint Health Networks Inc. in the Thousand Oaks. After the merger, the national company adopted the name WellPoint. Shares closed up 89 cents, or less than 1 percent, to $129.16 on the New York Stock Exchange.