Change your Zoom display name in three steps

Open Zoom and sign in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select My Profile. Find the First Name and Last Name fields, edit them to what you want, and click Save Changes. The new name appears the next time you join a meeting.

If you are already in a meeting and want to change your name for that session only, right-click your own video tile or name in the participant list and select Rename. Type the temporary name and press Enter. This change lasts only for that meeting and does not affect your account profile.

The account-level change takes effect across all future meetings. The temporary in-meeting change is useful if you want to display a nickname, a different spelling, or a professional title without altering your permanent profile.

Key Takeaways

  • Your permanent Zoom name changes through your profile settings and applies to all future meetings you join.
  • You can rename yourself temporarily during a single meeting by right-clicking your name in the participant list.
  • Profile changes save when ready and take effect the next time you sign in or join a meeting.
  • Temporary in-meeting names do not carry over to other meetings or change your account profile.
  • Both methods work on desktop, mobile, and web versions of Zoom.

Changing your name on the Zoom website

If you prefer to change your name without opening the Zoom app, log into your account at zoom.us. Click your profile picture in the top right, then select My Profile. You will see the same First Name and Last Name fields as in the app. Edit them and click Save Changes.

This method works identically to the app version. The change syncs across all your devices and takes effect when ready for new meetings. If you are already signed into Zoom on your phone or computer, you may need to sign out and back in to see the updated name.

Renaming yourself during a meeting

Right-click your own name or video in the meeting window. A menu will appear with the option Rename. Click it, type your new name, and press Enter or click OK. Your new name displays to everyone in that meeting when ready.

On mobile devices, tap and hold your video tile, then select Rename from the menu. The process is the same: type the name and confirm. Remember that this change affects only the current meeting. When you join a different meeting later, your account name will display again.

This feature is helpful if you want to use a nickname during a casual meeting, add your pronouns, include your department or role, or correct a spelling without changing your permanent profile.

What happens to your old name

When you change your account name, Zoom does not keep a record of previous names. Your old name disappears from your profile when ready. If you need to revert to a former name, you straightforward edit the field again and save.

Meeting recordings and chat transcripts created before the name change will still show your old name in those documents. Zoom does not retroactively update historical records. If you are concerned about how your name appears in past recordings, check with your meeting organizer or your organization's Zoom administrator.

Changing your name if your account is linked to your organization

If your Zoom account is managed by your workplace or school, you may not be able to edit your name directly. Your organization's administrator controls your profile information. Contact your IT department or Zoom administrator to request a name change.

Some organizations sync Zoom names with their directory system, so a change in one place updates the other automatically. Others require manual approval. Ask your administrator whether the change is when ready or requires review. In the meantime, you can still use the temporary in-meeting rename feature for individual meetings.

Troubleshooting name changes that do not appear

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

If you are using Zoom on multiple devices, the change may take a few minutes to sync. Check one device first, wait a moment, then check the others. If the old name persists after 15 minutes and a full sign-out, restart your device. If the problem continues, contact Zoom support through your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name right before a meeting starts?

Yes. If you change your account name through your profile, it takes effect when ready for the next meeting you join. If you are already in a meeting, use the temporary rename feature instead. Both work within seconds.

Will my new name show in the meeting chat?

Yes. Your display name appears next to all messages you send during the meeting. If you rename yourself mid-meeting, your new name shows on messages sent after the change. Earlier messages still show your old name.

Can the meeting host see when I rename myself?

The host sees your new name in the participant list and on your video tile, but Zoom does not send a notification that you renamed yourself. The change is visible but not announced.

What if I want to use special characters or emoji in my name?

Zoom allows most characters, including emoji, in display names. Type them into the name field the same way you would in any other text box. Some organizations may restrict special characters in account names, so check with your administrator if you work for a company or school.

Does changing my Zoom name affect my email address or account login?

No. Your email address and password remain the same. Changing your display name only affects what other people see in meetings. You still log in with your original email and password.