Change your display name before or during a Zoom call
You can change the name that appears to other participants in a Zoom meeting in two ways: before the meeting starts, by editing your Zoom profile, or during the meeting itself, by changing your display name on the spot. The quickest method during an active call takes about 10 seconds. If you want the change to stick for all future meetings, update your profile name instead—that takes a few minutes but applies automatically to every Zoom session you join.
Both methods work on desktop, mobile, and the web version of Zoom. The steps differ slightly depending on which device you use, but the principle is the same: find the participant list or settings, locate your name, and edit it.
Key Takeaways
- During an active meeting, right-click your own name in the participant list and select "Rename" to change how you appear to others in that call only.
- To change your name for all future Zoom meetings, edit your profile name in your Zoom account settings on the web or in the desktop app.
- On mobile, tap your profile picture, go to Settings, then Profile, and edit your name there.
- Changes made during a meeting affect only that session; your profile name change persists across all meetings unless you change it again.
- If you are a guest joining without a Zoom account, you can enter your name when prompted before the meeting starts.
Change your name during an active Zoom meeting on desktop
Open the participant list by clicking the "Participants" button at the bottom of the Zoom window. Look for your own name in the list—it will usually say "You" next to it. Right-click on your name and select "Rename" from the menu that appears.
A text box will open with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one you want to display. Press Enter or click outside the box to confirm. Your new name appears when ready to all other participants in that meeting. This change lasts only for that call; the next time you join a Zoom meeting, your original name will show unless you have changed your profile name.
Change your name during a meeting on mobile
On iPhone or Android, tap the "Participants" button at the bottom of the screen to open the participant list. Scroll to find your own name. Tap on your name, and a menu will appear with options including "Rename." Tap "Rename," type your new name in the field that opens, and tap "Done" or the checkmark to save.
The change takes effect when ready in that meeting. When you leave and rejoin a different Zoom call, your original name will display unless you have updated your Zoom profile beforehand.
Update your profile name for all future meetings
To change the name that appears in every Zoom meeting you join going forward, log into your Zoom account on the web at zoom.us. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. Find the "Full Name" field near the top of the page, click the edit icon (pencil) next to it, and type your new name.
Click "Save Changes" at the bottom of the page. The next time you join any Zoom meeting, your new name will display automatically. This change does not affect meetings you are already in—only new sessions you join after the update takes effect.
Change your name in the Zoom desktop app settings
Open the Zoom desktop process and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the menu. On the profile page, find your full name and click the edit icon next to it. Type your new name and click "Save."
This method updates your profile across all Zoom sessions on that computer. If you use Zoom on multiple devices, you will need to make the change on each one, or log into zoom.us on the web to update your account globally.
What happens if you join as a guest without a Zoom account
If someone sends you a Zoom meeting link and you do not have a Zoom account, you will be asked to enter your name when you click the link or join the meeting. Type the name you want to display and click "Join." You cannot change this name during the meeting unless you create a Zoom account and update your profile.
If you plan to join Zoom meetings regularly, creating a free Zoom account takes about two minutes and lets you set a permanent name that applies to all your meetings.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common error is changing your name during a meeting and expecting it to carry over to your next call. Remember: changes made in the participant list during a meeting affect only that session. If you want a permanent change, update your Zoom profile on the web or in the app settings.
Another mistake is typing a name with special characters or very long text. Zoom will accept most inputs, but extremely long names may display oddly on smaller screens or in the participant list. Keep your name to 50 characters or fewer for the best appearance on all devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change someone else's name in a Zoom meeting?
Only the meeting host can rename other participants. If you are a regular participant, you can rename only yourself. If you are hosting and need to change another person's display name, right-click their name in the participant list and select "Rename."
Will changing my name during a meeting notify other people?
No notification appears, but other participants will see your new name appear in the participant list when ready. Some may notice the change if they are watching the list closely, but Zoom does not send an alert about the change.
What if I change my profile name but it does not show in my next meeting?
Log out of Zoom completely and log back in. Sometimes the app caches your old name. If you made the change on the web at zoom.us, restart the Zoom desktop app or refresh your browser. Changes can take a few minutes to sync across devices.
Can I use a different name for different meetings?
Yes. Change your name in the participant list during each meeting to use a different name for that session only. Your profile name will not change. If you want a permanent different name, update your profile, but you can only have one profile name at a time.
Does changing my name affect my Zoom account or email?
No. Changing your display name changes only how you appear in meetings. Your Zoom account email, password, and all other account details remain the same. You can change your display name as many times as you want without affecting your account security or settings.