Change your name in Zoom 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 just before a meeting starts, or change your name while a meeting is already happening. The method you choose depends on whether you want the change to stick permanently or just for one call.
Your profile name is what Zoom displays by default when you join any meeting. Changing it takes about one minute and applies to every meeting you attend going forward. If you only want a different name for a single meeting, you can rename yourself in the meeting settings or during the call itself without touching your profile.
Key Takeaways
- Edit your Zoom profile name in Account Settings to change your name for all future meetings.
- Rename yourself before a meeting by editing the name field in the meeting preview screen.
- Change your name during an active meeting by right-clicking your own video tile or using the Participants panel.
- Your profile name is what other people see by default, so changing it there is the most permanent option.
- Some meeting hosts can prevent participants from changing their own names, so you may not always have this option.
Edit your profile name for all future meetings
Open Zoom on your computer or phone and sign in to your account. In the top right corner of the Zoom window (on desktop) or in the menu (on mobile), click or tap your profile picture or initials. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu.
On the profile page, look for your name field at the top. Click "Edit" next to your current name. Type your new name in the text box, then click "Save" to confirm. This change takes effect immediately and will show up the next time you join a meeting.
If you use Zoom through a work or school account, your organization may have locked your profile name so that you cannot change it yourself. If the "Edit" button does not appear, contact your Zoom administrator or IT department.
Change your name before joining a meeting
When you open a meeting invitation or click a meeting link, Zoom shows you a preview screen before you enter the call. This screen displays the name that will appear to other participants. Click on your name in this preview to edit it for just this meeting.
Type the new name you want to use, then click "Join" to enter the meeting with that name. This temporary change only affects this single meeting and does not alter your profile name. The next meeting you join will show your profile name again unless you edit it the same way.
Change your name while a meeting is happening
If you are already in a meeting and want to change your name, the steps differ slightly between desktop and mobile. On a computer, look at your own video tile (usually in the bottom right corner or in the gallery view). Right-click on your tile and select "Rename" from the menu. Type your new name and press Enter.
On a phone or tablet, open the Participants panel by tapping the "Participants" button at the bottom of the screen. Find your own name in the list, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Rename." Type your new name and confirm. The change appears to all other participants in the meeting immediately.
Renaming yourself during a meeting only affects that specific call. When you leave and join another meeting, your profile name will show up again. If you want the new name to appear in all your meetings, you need to change your profile name instead.
What happens if the host has locked name changes
Some meeting hosts use Zoom's settings to prevent participants from changing their own names. This is common in large webinars, training sessions, or meetings where the host wants to control how people are identified. If you try to rename yourself and the option is grayed out or missing, the host has this restriction enabled.
In this case, you cannot change your name during the meeting. Your only option is to contact the host and ask them to change it for you, or to leave and rejoin with a different name if the meeting allows it. The host can change any participant's name from their own Participants panel.
Troubleshooting name changes that do not appear
If you changed your profile name but it still shows your old name in meetings, try signing out of Zoom completely and signing back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh your account information. On desktop, click your profile picture, select "Sign Out," then sign in again. On mobile, go to Settings, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out."
If you renamed yourself during a meeting but other people say they still see your old name, wait a few seconds — the change can take a moment to sync across all participants' screens. If it does not update after 10 seconds, try muting and unmuting your video, which sometimes forces a refresh. If the problem persists, ask the host whether they have name-change restrictions enabled.
If you are using Zoom through a work account and cannot edit your name at all, your organization's administrator may have restricted profile changes. Check with your IT department or help desk to see whether they can change it for you or unlock the setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different name in Zoom than my real name?
Yes. Zoom does not verify your identity, so you can use any name you want in your profile or for individual meetings. Some organizations may have policies about this, so check with your employer or school if you are using a work account.
Will changing my name affect my Zoom account or recordings?
Changing your profile name does not affect your account security or login. Recordings will show whatever name was displayed during the meeting, so if you renamed yourself mid-call, the recording will reflect that change at that point in the video.
What if I change my name but the host does not see it?
The host should see your new name within a few seconds. If they do not, ask them to refresh their Participants panel or have them close and reopen Zoom. If the host has disabled name changes, they may be seeing your profile name instead of your temporary meeting name.
Can I change my name on the Zoom website instead of the app?
Yes. Sign in to your Zoom account at zoom.us, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Profile," and click "Edit" next to your name. The process is the same as on the desktop app, and the change syncs across all devices.
Do I need to change my name before every meeting?
No. If you change your profile name, it automatically appears in all meetings. You only need to rename yourself before or during a specific meeting if you want a different name just for that call.