Change your display name in Zoom before or during a meeting

Your Zoom display name is what other participants see when you join a meeting. You can change it in your account settings at any time, or quickly edit it right before a meeting starts. The method you use depends on whether you want the change to apply to all future meetings or just the one you're about to join.

Zoom stores your display name in your profile, so changing it there affects every meeting you attend unless you override it in that specific meeting. If you only want a different name for one call, you can edit it in the meeting lobby without touching your account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your permanent display name by going to your Zoom profile settings, clicking your name, and typing the new one in the "First Name" and "Last Name" fields.
  • To change your name for just one meeting, edit it in the meeting lobby before you join, or ask the host to change it for you after you've entered.
  • Your display name appears to all other participants and is recorded in the meeting transcript if the host records the session.
  • If you join a meeting through a calendar invite, Zoom may pull your name from your email or calendar account instead of your Zoom profile.

Update your name in your Zoom profile

Open the Zoom desktop app or go to zoom.us in your web browser and sign in. In the top right corner, click your profile picture or avatar. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu.

On your profile page, look for the "First Name" and "Last Name" fields near the top. Click on each field to edit it. Type your new name and click outside the field or press Enter to save. Zoom saves changes automatically — you don't need to click a separate save button.

This change takes effect the next time you join a meeting. If you're already in a meeting when you change your profile name, you'll need to leave and rejoin for the new name to show up to other participants.

Change your name just for one meeting

Before you join a meeting, look at the meeting preview screen. You'll see your current display name in a field. Click on that field and type a different name. This temporary change applies only to that meeting and doesn't alter your account profile.

If you've already joined the meeting and want to change your name, right-click on your own video tile or name in the participant list. Select "Rename" and type the new name. Only the host can rename other participants, but you can always rename yourself this way.

After the meeting ends, your display name reverts to whatever is set in your profile. The temporary name you used for that one meeting doesn't carry over to future calls.

What happens when your name comes from your email or calendar

If you join a Zoom meeting through a calendar invite (from Outlook, Google Calendar, or another service), Zoom sometimes pulls your name directly from that calendar account instead of your Zoom profile. This is especially common if your calendar name differs from your Zoom profile name.

To prevent this, make sure your calendar account and your Zoom profile have the same name, or join the meeting by clicking the Zoom link directly rather than through the calendar invite. If you join through the calendar and see the wrong name, you can still rename yourself in the meeting lobby or after you join.

How other people see your display name

Your display name appears next to your video during the meeting, in the participant list on the right side of the screen, and in the chat if you send messages. If the host records the meeting, your name is included in the transcript and video file.

Participants cannot see your email address or Zoom account details — only the name you've set. If you're concerned about privacy, you can use a nickname or first name only instead of your full legal name.

Troubleshooting name changes that don't appear

If you changed your profile name but it's not showing up in meetings, try signing out of Zoom completely and signing back in. Close the app entirely (not just the window) and reopen it. Sometimes Zoom caches your old name and needs to refresh.

If you're joining through a calendar invite and the wrong name appears, check that your calendar account name matches your Zoom profile. You can also try removing and re-adding the Zoom integration in your calendar settings, then joining the meeting again.

On mobile devices, the process is the same: tap your profile picture, select "Profile," edit your name, and save. Mobile apps sometimes take longer to sync changes, so wait a few seconds after saving before joining a meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different name for work meetings and personal meetings?

Not automatically through Zoom settings, but you can change your name in the meeting lobby before joining any specific call. If you frequently switch between two names, consider creating a second Zoom account with a different email address and name, then sign into whichever account matches the meeting type.

Will changing my name affect my Zoom account or login?

No. Your login is tied to your email address, not your display name. Changing your display name only changes what other people see — it doesn't affect your password, account security, or how you sign in.

What if the host changed my name and I want to change it back?

Right-click your own name in the participant list and select "Rename." Type your preferred name. Hosts can rename participants, but you can always rename yourself at any time during the meeting.

Does my display name change affect my Zoom profile picture or avatar?

No. Your profile picture and display name are separate. Changing your name doesn't change your avatar, and changing your avatar doesn't change your name. You can edit both independently in your profile settings.