Change your display name in Zoom in three steps

Your Zoom display name is what other meeting participants see when you join a call. You can change it at any time — either before a meeting starts or during one — and the change takes effect immediately for everyone in that meeting. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are changing it on the desktop app, the mobile app, or the web version.

The fastest way is to edit your profile name in your Zoom account settings, which updates your name for all future meetings. If you need to change it just for one specific meeting, you can do that too without touching your account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name in Zoom can be changed in your account profile, and the change applies to all future meetings automatically.
  • You can also change your name for a single meeting only, either before you join or while the meeting is already running.
  • On the desktop app, edit your profile by clicking your avatar in the top right corner and selecting "Profile".
  • On mobile, tap "Settings" at the bottom of the screen, then "Profile" to change your display name.
  • During a meeting, right-click your own video tile (desktop) or tap and hold it (mobile) to rename yourself for that meeting only.

Change your name permanently in your Zoom profile

This method updates the name that appears in all your Zoom meetings going forward. Open the Zoom desktop app and look for your avatar (profile picture) in the top right corner of the window. Click on it, then select "Profile" from the dropdown menu.

On the profile page, find the field that shows your current name. Click the "Edit" button next to it, type your new name, and click "Save". The change takes effect immediately. The next time you join a meeting, your new name will display to other participants.

If you use Zoom on your phone or tablet, tap the "Settings" icon at the bottom of the screen (it looks like three horizontal lines or a gear), then tap "Profile". You will see your current name with an "Edit" button next to it. Tap "Edit", change the name, and tap "Save".

Change your name for just one meeting

Sometimes you need a different name for a single meeting without changing your account profile. You can do this before the meeting starts or while you are already in it.

Before joining: When you see the preview screen before entering a meeting, your current name appears at the bottom. Click on your name to edit it, type the new name you want for this meeting, and then join. This name change applies only to that one meeting.

During a meeting: Right-click on your own video tile (the box showing your camera feed) and select "Rename". Type the new name and press Enter. On a mobile device, tap and hold your video tile until a menu appears, then select "Rename". Again, this change affects only the current meeting.

What happens when you change your name

When you change your name in your profile, the change is visible to everyone in your meetings immediately — they do not need to refresh or rejoin. If other participants are already in the meeting when you change your name, they will see the update within a few seconds.

If you change your name just for one meeting, only that meeting is affected. Your profile name stays the same, and the next meeting you join will show your original profile name unless you edit it again for that specific meeting.

Zoom does not send a notification to other participants when you change your name. They will simply see the new name appear on your video tile or in the participant list.

Reasons to change your display name

You might change your name for work meetings to use your full professional name instead of a nickname, or to add your title or department for clarity. Some people use a different name for personal meetings with friends or family. Teachers often change their names for student meetings to show only their last name, or add their subject area to help students identify them.

You can also change your name if you made a typo when you first set up your account, or if you simply prefer a different name now. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If you edited your profile name but it still shows the old name in meetings, sign out of Zoom completely and sign back in. This forces the app to refresh your profile information. Close the app entirely — do not just minimize it — then reopen it and log in again.

If you are trying to change your name during a meeting and the rename option does not appear, you may not have permission to rename yourself. This sometimes happens in meetings where the host has restricted participant controls. Try changing your name before the meeting starts instead, or ask the host to allow you to edit your name.

On mobile devices, if the "Edit" button does not appear next to your name in Settings, make sure you are signed into your Zoom account. If you are using Zoom as a guest without an account, you can still change your name before joining a meeting, but you cannot edit your profile.

Using your real name versus a display name

Zoom does not require you to use your real name. Your display name can be anything you choose — a nickname, your initials, a professional title, or any other text. Some workplaces have policies about what names should appear in meetings, so check with your employer or meeting organizer if you are unsure.

If you are concerned about privacy, you can use a partial name or a professional identifier instead of your full name. You can also change your name for different types of meetings — your real name for work, a nickname for friends, or a professional title for client calls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name if I am not the meeting host?

Yes. You can always change your own display name, whether you are the host or a participant. However, you cannot change other people's names unless the host has given you that permission. If you try to rename someone else and the option does not appear, the host has restricted that ability.

Will changing my name affect my Zoom account or recordings?

Changing your display name does not affect your account security or login information. If the meeting is being recorded, your new name will appear in the recording if you change it before or during the meeting. Past recordings will still show the name you had when they were recorded.

What if I change my name and then forget what it was?

If you changed your profile name and want to see what it is now, go to your profile settings and look at the name field. If you changed it just for one meeting and forgot what you changed it to, you can edit your name again during that meeting or change it back in your profile settings.

Can I use special characters or emoji in my Zoom name?

Zoom allows most characters, including some emoji, in display names. However, some special characters may not display correctly on all devices. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks if you want your name to appear the same way for everyone in the meeting.

Does the host get notified when I change my name?

No. The host does not receive a notification when you change your display name. They will simply see your new name in the participant list or on your video tile. If the host needs to know you changed your name, you can tell them directly.