Change Your Display Name in Zoom

You can change the name that appears to other people in a Zoom meeting in two places: in your Zoom account settings (which changes your name for all future meetings) or temporarily during a specific meeting. The fastest route is to edit your profile name in your account, which takes about one minute and applies to every call you join.

To change your name permanently in your Zoom account, sign in at zoom.us on a computer or open the Zoom app on your phone. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select My Profile. You will see your current name displayed under your profile picture. Click the pencil icon next to your name to edit it, type your new name, and click Save. The change takes effect when ready for all future meetings.

On the Zoom mobile app, tap Profile at the bottom of the screen, then tap the pencil icon next to your name. Type your new name and tap Save. This method works the same way on both iPhone and Android.

Key Takeaways

  • Changing your name in your Zoom profile settings updates your display name for all future meetings you join.
  • You can also change your name temporarily for a single meeting by editing it in the meeting settings before you join or after you enter the call.
  • On a computer, go to your profile picture, select My Profile, and click the pencil icon next to your name to edit it.
  • On a mobile phone, tap Profile at the bottom of the screen and tap the pencil icon to change your name.
  • Changes to your profile name take effect when ready and are visible to all other meeting participants.

Change Your Name for a Single Meeting

If you only want to change your name for one specific meeting instead of updating your entire profile, you can do this before you join the call or after you have already entered. This is useful if you want to use a different name for a particular meeting without affecting your permanent account name.

Before joining a meeting, click on the meeting link or select the meeting from your calendar. On the screen that appears before you enter, you will see your name displayed. Click on your name to edit it, type the temporary name you want to use, and then join the meeting. When you leave the meeting, your account name stays the same for future calls.

If you are already in a meeting and want to change your name, click on the three dots or menu icon next to your name in the participant list. Select Rename and type your new name for that meeting only. This change applies only to that specific call and does not affect your account profile.

What Happens When You Change Your Name

When you change your name in your Zoom profile, the new name appears to all other participants in every meeting you join going forward. If you are the host of a meeting, your new name will show in the participant list and in the top corner of the screen. If you are a guest, your name appears in the participant list and next to your video feed.

Other people in the meeting will see your updated name when ready. If you change your name during a meeting, participants will see the change happen in real time in the participant list. Your name also appears on any recordings of the meeting, so if you record a call after changing your name, the recording will show your new name.

If you change your name back to your original name later, that change also applies to all future meetings. Past recordings will still show whatever name you had at the time the meeting was recorded.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake is changing your name in the meeting settings and then expecting it to stay that way for your next meeting. Remember that temporary name changes (made right before joining or during a meeting) only last for that single call. If you want the new name to stick for all future meetings, you must change it in your profile settings.

Another mistake is forgetting that your profile name is visible to everyone in your meetings. If you use your Zoom account for work, school, or professional settings, make sure your profile name is something you are comfortable with other people seeing. You cannot hide your name from other meeting participants.

Some people also change their name right before a meeting and then forget to change it back if they used a temporary name for a specific reason. If you want to use a different name only for one call, write down what your original name was so you can change it back afterward if needed.

Changing Your Name on Different Devices

The steps to change your name are slightly different depending on whether you use Zoom on a computer, phone, or tablet. On a Windows or Mac computer, you must sign in to your account through the website or the desktop app. The website method (zoom.us) is often faster because you can see all your settings in one place.

On an iPhone or iPad, open the Zoom app and tap the Profile tab at the bottom. On an Android phone, the steps are the same: open the app, tap Profile, and tap the pencil icon. If you use Zoom on a tablet, the process is identical to the phone version.

If you sign in to Zoom on multiple devices, your profile name change will sync across all of them. This means if you change your name on your computer, that new name will appear on your phone the next time you open the Zoom app and sign in. You do not need to change your name separately on each device.

Troubleshooting Name Change Problems

If you changed your name but it is not showing up in your meetings, try signing out of Zoom completely and signing back in. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to display your updated profile information. On a computer, click your profile picture and select Sign Out. Then sign back in with your email and password.

If you are trying to change your name but the pencil icon is not appearing next to your name, you may not be signed in to your account. Make sure you are logged in before trying to edit your profile. If you are using a work or school Zoom account, your organization may have restricted the ability to change your display name. In that case, contact your Zoom administrator to request a name change.

If your name change is not appearing to other people in meetings even after you have signed out and back in, try updating your Zoom app to the latest version. Older versions of the app sometimes have display issues. Go to your device's app store, search for Zoom, and tap Update if an update is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fake name or nickname on Zoom?

Yes, Zoom allows you to use any name you want in your profile. However, if you use Zoom for work or school, your organization may have policies about what names are acceptable. Check with your employer or school before using a name that is not your legal name.

Will changing my name affect my Zoom account or login?

No, changing your display name does not change your email address or password. You still sign in with the same email and password you always use. Your display name is only what other people see in meetings.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, you can change your name as many times as you want. Go back to your profile settings, click the pencil icon next to your name, type your old name, and click Save. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

What if I do not want people to see my real name in meetings?

You can use any name you want in your Zoom profile, including a nickname, first name only, or a pseudonym. Change your profile name to whatever you are comfortable sharing with meeting participants. Just remember that everyone in the meeting will see whatever name you choose.

Does changing my name affect recordings of past meetings?

No, recordings of past meetings will still show the name you had when those meetings took place. Only future recordings will show your new name. If you need to update the name in an old recording, you would need to edit the recording file itself, which requires video editing software.