Change your display name before or during a meeting

You can change the name that appears to other participants in three ways: edit your Zoom profile (which changes your name for all future meetings), rename yourself in a specific meeting only, or change your name right before you join. The method you choose depends on whether you want the change to stick permanently or just for one call.

The fastest option during a meeting is to click the three dots next to your name in the participants list, select "Rename," type the new name, and click "OK." This change lasts only for that meeting. When you join your next Zoom call, your profile name returns.

If you want to change your name for all meetings going forward, edit your Zoom profile on the web or in the app. On the web, sign in to your Zoom account, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Profile," and edit the "First Name" and "Last Name" fields. On the desktop or mobile app, tap your profile picture, go to "Profile," and make the same edits.

Key Takeaways

  • During a meeting, right-click or tap the three dots next to your name in the participants list, select "Rename," and type a new name — this change lasts only for that call.
  • To change your name for all future meetings, edit your Zoom profile through the web portal or the app under your profile settings.
  • You can also change your name in the "Edit Name" field that appears when you join a meeting, before you click "Join Audio."
  • Your profile name is what other participants see by default, so updating it there ensures consistency across all your Zoom calls.

Change your name in your Zoom profile

Your Zoom profile controls the name that shows up when you join any meeting. To edit it on a computer, go to zoom.us, sign in with your email and password, and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu.

On the profile page, you will see your "First Name" and "Last Name" fields. Click into each one, delete the old text, and type the new name. Zoom saves changes automatically — you do not need to click a separate "Save" button. The new name takes effect the next time you join a meeting.

On the Zoom mobile app (iPhone or Android), tap your profile picture at the bottom right of the screen, then tap "Profile." Tap "Edit" next to your name, change the first and last name fields, and tap the checkmark to save. The change syncs across all your devices within a few minutes.

Rename yourself in a single meeting

If you only want to change your name for one specific meeting, you do not need to edit your profile. During the call, look at the participants panel on the right side of the screen (or swipe left on mobile). Find your own name in the list.

On a computer, right-click your name and select "Rename" from the menu. On mobile, tap the three dots next to your name and tap "Rename." A text box will appear. Type the new name and press Enter or tap "OK." The change takes effect immediately for everyone in that meeting.

When the meeting ends, your name reverts to whatever is set in your Zoom profile. The next time you join a different meeting, you will appear under your profile name again. This method is useful if you want to use a nickname, a different spelling, or a professional name for just one call.

Change your name before you join a meeting

Zoom also lets you edit your name in the join screen, right before you enter the meeting. When you click a meeting link or select a meeting from your calendar, a window appears asking you to confirm your name and audio settings.

In the "Edit Name" field at the top of this window, you can type a different name than what is in your profile. Click "Join with Video" or "Join" to enter the meeting under that new name. Like the mid-meeting rename, this change applies only to that single call and does not update your profile.

What other participants see

The name that appears next to your video tile or in the participants list is what you set in one of the three ways above. If you rename yourself during a meeting, that new name appears to everyone in the call, but it does not change your profile for future meetings.

If you have a Zoom account and sign in before joining, your profile name appears by default. If you join as a guest without signing in, the name you enter on the join screen is what shows up. Hosts and co-hosts can also rename participants, though this is usually only done to correct obvious errors or enforce meeting naming rules.

Troubleshooting name changes that do not stick

If you changed your profile name but it still shows the old name in meetings, sign out of the Zoom app completely and sign back in. On the desktop app, click your profile picture, select "Sign Out," then sign back in with your email and password. On mobile, tap your profile picture, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out."

If you renamed yourself during a meeting and the change did not appear, try clicking the three dots again and selecting "Rename" a second time. If the participants list is not visible, click "Participants" at the bottom of the screen to open it. On mobile, swipe left to see the participants panel.

If you are joining a meeting as a guest and your name does not change from what you typed, make sure you are typing in the "Edit Name" field on the join screen, not in a different field. Some meeting links take you directly to the video without showing the name entry screen — in that case, you can only rename yourself after joining by using the participants list method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name if I am a guest joining without an account?

Yes. When you click a meeting link, you will see a screen asking for your name before you join. Type the name you want to use and click "Join." This name appears only for that meeting. If you join the same meeting again later without creating an account, you will need to enter your name again.

Does changing my Zoom profile name change my name in other apps or services?

No. Your Zoom profile name is separate from your email account name or any other service. Changing it in Zoom does not affect your Gmail, calendar, or any other platform. Only Zoom meetings will show the new name.

What if the host has locked my name and I cannot rename myself?

Some hosts disable the ability for participants to rename themselves. If you cannot find the rename option in the participants list, the host has likely turned this off. You can ask the host to rename you, or you can leave and rejoin the meeting if you need to change your name.

Will my renamed name be saved in the meeting recording?

Yes. If the meeting is recorded, the name that appears in the video and in the participant list at the time of recording is what will show in the recording. If you renamed yourself during the meeting, that new name appears in the recording from that point forward.

Can I change my name on Zoom if I use it for work?

Yes, but check with your organization first. Some companies manage Zoom accounts centrally and may have policies about what names are allowed. If your account is managed by your employer, they may need to update your name through their admin settings rather than through your personal profile.