Change your display name before or during a Zoom meeting
You can change the name that appears to other participants on a Zoom call in two ways: before the meeting starts, by editing your Zoom profile, or during an active meeting, by changing your display name in real time. The quickest method during a call takes about 10 seconds. If you want the change to stick for all future meetings, update your profile name instead—that becomes your default for every Zoom session you join.
Both methods work on desktop, mobile, and web versions of Zoom. The steps differ slightly depending on which device you use, but the principle is the same: you are telling Zoom what name to show other people in the meeting.
Key Takeaways
- During an active Zoom call, right-click your own video tile, select "Rename," type the new name, and click "OK"—this takes about 10 seconds and only affects that meeting.
- To change your name for all future Zoom meetings, go to your Zoom profile settings, click "Edit" next to your name, type the new name, and save the change.
- On mobile, tap the three dots above your video during a call, select "Rename," and confirm—the process is the same as desktop but uses touch controls.
- Your profile name change takes effect when ready for new meetings but may not update in meetings you are already in; you will need to rename yourself in that specific call.
- If you are a host, you can also rename other participants during a meeting, though they will see a notification that their name was changed.
Rename yourself during an active Zoom meeting on desktop
The fastest way to change your name mid-call is to right-click your own video box. Look for your video tile—it is usually in the main gallery view or in the speaker view if you are currently speaking. Right-click directly on your video or on your name label below it.
A small menu will appear with several options. Select "Rename" from that menu. A text box will open with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one. Click "OK" or press Enter to confirm. The change takes effect when ready, and all other participants will see your new name within a second or two.
This change only lasts for that meeting. When you join a different Zoom call, your name will revert to whatever is set in your Zoom profile. If you want the new name to appear in all your future meetings, you will need to update your profile separately.
Rename yourself on mobile during a Zoom call
On iPhone or Android, the process is similar but uses touch controls instead of a right-click. During an active call, look at the bottom of your screen for the participant list or your own video tile. Tap the three dots (more options menu) that appear above or next to your video.
A menu will pop up with several choices. Tap "Rename" from that menu. A text field will appear with your current name. Clear it and type your new name, then tap "Done" or "Confirm" to save the change. Like the desktop version, this change only affects the current meeting.
If you do not see the three-dot menu, try tapping and holding on your video tile for a moment—this sometimes reveals the options menu on mobile devices. The exact location of controls can vary slightly depending on your phone model and Zoom version.
Update your Zoom profile name for all future meetings
To make a name change permanent across all your Zoom meetings, you need to edit your Zoom profile. On desktop, open the Zoom process and click your profile picture in the top-right corner. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu that appears.
On your profile page, you will see your current name displayed prominently. Look for an "Edit" button or pencil icon next to your name. Click it to enter edit mode. The name field will become editable. Delete your current name and type the new one. Scroll down and click "Save" to confirm the change.
On mobile, tap the "Profile" tab at the bottom of the Zoom app (it usually looks like a person icon). Tap "Edit" next to your name, type the new name, and tap "Save." The change takes effect when ready for any new meetings you join after that point.
What happens to your old name in meetings you are already in
If you change your profile name while you are already in a Zoom meeting, the other participants will still see your old name until you rename yourself within that specific call. Changing your profile does not retroactively update your name in an active meeting—you have to use the "Rename" option during the call to make the change visible to others right away.
This is by design: Zoom locks your name at the moment you join a meeting to prevent confusion if someone changes their name mid-call. Once you leave and rejoin, your new profile name will appear automatically.
Renaming other participants if you are the host
If you are hosting the Zoom meeting, you have the ability to rename other participants without their permission. Right-click on any participant's video tile or name and select "Rename." Type the new name and click "OK." The participant will see a notification that their name was changed, but the change only lasts for that meeting.
This feature is useful if someone joins with a confusing name, a blank name, or a name that does not match their identity. However, use it carefully—renaming someone without warning can be disruptive. It is usually better to ask the person to rename themselves first.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is changing your name during a meeting and expecting it to carry over to your next call. Remember: renaming yourself mid-call only affects that specific meeting. If you want the new name to appear in all future meetings, you must update your profile separately.
Another frequent issue is not being able to find the rename option. On desktop, make sure you are right-clicking directly on your video tile or name label, not on an empty area of the screen. On mobile, look for the three-dot menu above your video. If you still do not see it, try tapping and holding on your video tile.
A third mistake is changing your name right before an important meeting and not testing it. If you are presenting or speaking in a professional setting, rename yourself a few minutes early and confirm the change took effect. This prevents awkward moments where your old name appears on screen during the call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or emojis in my Zoom name?
Zoom allows most special characters and emojis in display names. You can type them directly into the name field just as you would in any text box. However, some very unusual characters may not display correctly on all devices, so test your name on a practice call first if you are using anything beyond standard letters, numbers, and common punctuation.
Will renaming myself during a call show up in the meeting recording?
Yes. If the meeting is being recorded, your new name will appear in the recording from the moment you rename yourself. Any footage before the rename will show your old name. If you are concerned about how your name appears in a recording, rename yourself at the very beginning of the call.
What if I forget to change my name before joining a meeting?
You can rename yourself at any point during the call using the right-click method on desktop or the three-dot menu on mobile. There is no penalty for renaming yourself mid-meeting. Just do it as soon as you realize the name is wrong.
Does changing my Zoom profile name affect my email or account login?
No. Your display name and your account login are separate. Changing your display name does not affect your email address, password, or any other account credentials. You can change your display name as often as you want without impacting how you sign into Zoom.
Can I set different names for different Zoom meetings?
Not automatically. Your profile name is your default for all meetings. However, you can rename yourself in any individual meeting by using the rename option during that call. If you regularly join meetings where you need a different name, rename yourself each time you join—it only takes a few seconds.