Change your Zoom display name in three steps

You can change the name that appears to other people in Zoom meetings directly from your account settings or during a meeting itself. The display name is what shows up next to your video feed and in the participant list — it does not change your login email or password. Most people change it once during setup, but you can update it as often as you need.

The fastest route is to edit your profile before you join a meeting. Open Zoom, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select Profile, then click Edit next to your name. Type the new name and click Save. The change takes effect when ready for all future meetings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is separate from your Zoom login email and can be changed without affecting your account access.
  • You can edit your name in your profile settings, which updates it for all meetings going forward.
  • During an active meeting, right-click your own video tile and select Rename to change your name for just that session.
  • If you are the meeting host, you can also rename other participants, though they will see the change only during that meeting.
  • Changes made in your profile settings are permanent until you edit them again; changes made during a meeting reset the next time you join.

Edit your name in profile settings

Open the Zoom desktop app or web portal and sign in with your email and password. Click your profile picture in the top right corner — it usually shows your initials or a photo you uploaded. A dropdown menu will appear with several options.

Select Profile from the menu. You will see your account information, including your first and last name, email address, and phone number. Look for the Edit button next to your name (usually a pencil icon). Click it to unlock the name field for editing.

Type your new name into the field. You can use your full name, a nickname, your pronouns, or any text you want others to see. Click Save when you are done. The change applies to all meetings you join from that point forward, including meetings you have already scheduled.

Change your name during a meeting

If you want to change your name for only one meeting without updating your permanent profile, you can do so while the meeting is active. Look at your own video tile in the meeting window. Right-click directly on your video or your name label.

A small menu will pop up with the option Rename. Click it and type the new name you want to use for that meeting only. Press Enter or click outside the text box to confirm. Other participants will see the new name when ready in the participant list and next to your video.

This change lasts only for that meeting. The next time you join a different meeting, your name will revert to whatever you set in your profile settings. This is useful if you want to add context for a single meeting — for example, adding your company name or your role — without permanently changing your display name.

How to rename other participants if you are the host

If you are hosting a meeting, you have the ability to rename other participants. This does not change their permanent profile name — it only changes how their name appears in that specific meeting. Right-click on the participant's video tile or name in the participant list.

Select Rename from the menu. Type the new name and press Enter. The participant will see their name change in the meeting, but their profile name remains unchanged. When they join a different meeting, their original name will show up again.

Hosts often use this feature to add context during meetings — for example, renaming someone to include their department, location, or role. The renamed participant can see that their name has been changed during the meeting, but they cannot change it back themselves while the meeting is active.

What happens to your name across different Zoom features

Your display name appears in several places within Zoom. It shows next to your video during meetings, in the participant list, in the chat window when you send messages, and in meeting recordings if your video is included. Changing your profile name updates all of these locations.

Your name does not affect your Zoom meeting ID, your personal meeting room URL, or your login credentials. Other people still join your meetings using the same meeting link or ID even if you change your name. Your email address, which is what you use to log in, stays the same no matter what display name you choose.

If you schedule recurring meetings, your new name will appear in all future instances of those meetings. Past meeting recordings will still show your old name if they were recorded before you made the change, because the recording captured the name as it was at that time.

Troubleshooting name change issues

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

If you are using Zoom through a work or school account that is managed by your organization, you may not be able to edit your name. Your IT department or administrator controls your profile information. Contact them to request a name change, or ask whether you can use a nickname or display name instead.

On mobile devices, the process is slightly different. Open the Zoom app, tap your profile picture at the bottom of the screen, tap Edit Profile, and edit your name the same way. The change syncs across all your devices within a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name in Zoom without changing my email?

Yes. Your display name and your login email are completely separate. You can change your name as many times as you want without touching your email address. Your email is what you use to sign in; your display name is only what other people see in meetings.

If I change my name, will people still be able to find my meetings?

Yes. Your meeting ID and personal meeting room link do not change when you update your name. People who have your meeting link or ID can still join your meetings. Your name change does not affect how others schedule or join your meetings.

Does changing my Zoom name affect my calendar invitations?

No. Calendar invitations that were already sent will still show your old name, because the invitation was created with that information. Future invitations you send will show your new name. If you want to update past invitations, you would need to send new ones.

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

Zoom allows most characters, including numbers and punctuation. Some special characters may not display correctly depending on the device or operating system. Emojis usually work on desktop and mobile apps, though they may not show up the same way for everyone.

What if my organization controls my Zoom account?

If your Zoom account is managed by your workplace or school, your administrator may have locked down profile editing. Try clicking Edit next to your name — if the button is grayed out or missing, contact your IT department or administrator to request a name change.