Change your display name before or during a meeting
Your name on Google Meet comes from your Google Account profile. You can change it in your account settings at any time, and the new name will show up the next time you join a meeting. If you are already in a meeting and want to change how your name appears to others in that call only, you can do that too — it takes about 30 seconds either way.
The method depends on whether you want to change your name permanently (in your Google Account) or just for one meeting. Both are straightforward, and you do not need to leave the meeting to do either one.
Key Takeaways
- Your Google Meet name pulls from your Google Account profile, so changing it there changes it everywhere you use that account.
- To change your name permanently, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info," then edit the name field and save.
- To change your name for just one meeting, click your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the Meet window and select "Change name for this call."
- The meeting-only change lasts only for that call and does not affect your account profile or future meetings.
- Changes to your account profile take effect when ready in new meetings but may take a few seconds to update in meetings already in progress.
Change your name in your Google Account (permanent)
This method changes your name everywhere you use your Google Account — in Meet, Gmail, Google Calendar, and any other Google service. Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. You will see your account dashboard with several options on the left side.
Click "Personal info" near the top of the left menu. You will see a section labeled "Name" with your current first and last name. Click on the name field to edit it. Type your new first name and last name in the boxes provided. When you are done, click the "Save" button at the bottom. Your new name will appear in Google Meet the next time you join a meeting, and it will also update in Gmail, Google Calendar, and your other Google services.
Change your name for one meeting only
If you want to use a different name just for the current meeting without changing your account profile, you can do this from inside the Meet window. Look at the bottom right corner of your screen where you will see your profile picture (a small circle with your initial or photo). Click on it.
A menu will pop up with several options. Select "Change name for this call." A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete it and type the name you want to use for this meeting only. Press Enter or click outside the box to confirm. Your new name will appear to everyone in the meeting when ready. When the meeting ends, your name will revert to your account name for the next meeting.
What happens when you change your name mid-meeting
If you change your account name while you are already in a meeting, the change may not appear to other participants right away. It can take a few seconds to update. If you want everyone to see your new name when ready, use the "Change name for this call" option instead — that takes effect when ready.
If you change your name for just one call and then join another meeting later, you will see your original account name again. The temporary change does not carry over to other meetings.
Common reasons to change your name on Meet
People change their Meet name for different reasons. You might use a nickname or shortened version for casual meetings with friends or colleagues. You might use your full legal name for formal presentations or client calls. Some people use a professional title along with their name for business meetings, or they might want to use a different name for privacy reasons in certain calls.
The temporary "change for this call" option is useful when you are borrowing someone else's device, when you want to test how your name looks before updating your account, or when you are attending a meeting where you prefer not to use your real name.
Troubleshooting name changes that do not appear
If you changed your account name but it still shows your old name in Meet, try refreshing the page or signing out and back in. Sometimes your browser cache holds onto the old information. Close the Meet window completely, wait a few seconds, and rejoin the meeting.
If you are using Meet on a mobile phone or tablet, the name change may take longer to sync. Try closing the Google Meet app completely and reopening it. If the old name persists after these steps, check that you are signed into the correct Google Account — you may have multiple accounts on your device, and Meet might be using a different one than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other people see when I change my name during a meeting?
Yes, they will see the name change happen in real time. If you use the "change for this call" option, your new name appears when ready in the participant list and on your video tile. If you change your account name while in a meeting, it may take a few seconds to update for others.
Will changing my name on Google Meet change my Gmail address?
No. Your Gmail address stays the same. Changing your display name only affects how your name appears to other people — it does not change your email address or your account login.
What if I want to use a name with special characters or emojis?
Google Meet accepts most characters, including numbers and punctuation. Emojis may work in the temporary "change for this call" option, but your account profile name field may not accept them. Try typing what you want; if it does not save, Google's system rejected that character.
Can I change my name on Meet if I am using a work or school account?
It depends on your organization's settings. Personal Google Accounts have full control over name changes. Work and school accounts may have restrictions set by your administrator. Try the steps above — if your account does not allow it, you will see a message saying the field is managed by your organization.
Does changing my name on Meet affect my calendar invitations?
No. Calendar invitations you sent before the name change will still show your old name, because they were already sent. New invitations you send will show your new name. People who already have your old name in their contacts will not see an automatic update.