Change your Zoom display name in three steps

You can change the name that appears to other people on Zoom in your account settings. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on desktop, mobile, and the web. Your new name shows up when ready in your next meeting.

The name you change in settings is your profile name — the one Zoom displays when you join a meeting or appear in the participant list. If you are joining a meeting as a guest without signing in, you can type a temporary name just for that session, but it will not save to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your profile name by signing into your Zoom account, opening settings, and editing the name field under your profile.
  • Your new name appears in all future meetings when ready, but does not change your name in past meeting recordings.
  • If you join a meeting without signing in, you can type a one-time name for that session only.
  • Meeting hosts can also change your display name during a call if they have that permission enabled.

Change your name on desktop or web

Sign into your Zoom account on the web at zoom.us or open the Zoom desktop app. In the top right corner, click your profile picture or initials. A menu will drop down with your account options.

Click Profile from that menu. You will see your account information, including your first and last name. Click the pencil icon or the Edit button next to your name. Type your new name in the field that appears, then click Save. The change takes effect when ready.

Change your name on the Zoom mobile app

Open the Zoom app on your phone or tablet and sign in if you are not already. Tap the Profile icon at the bottom right of the screen (it looks like a person's silhouette).

Tap Edit or the pencil icon next to your name. Type your new name and tap Save or Done, depending on your device. The name updates across all your Zoom meetings on any device you use.

Change your name just for one meeting

If you are joining a Zoom meeting without signing into your account, you can enter a temporary name for that session. When the meeting link opens, you will see a box asking for your name before you join. Type the name you want to use and click Join.

This name appears only in that one meeting and does not save to your account. The next time you join a meeting without signing in, you will need to enter a name again. If you sign into your account before joining, your profile name will be used instead.

When a host changes your name during a meeting

A Zoom meeting host can change your display name while you are in the call if they have enabled that permission. This does not change your account profile name — it only changes how your name appears in that specific meeting. Once you leave and rejoin, your profile name returns.

If a host changes your name and you want to correct it, you can leave the meeting and rejoin, or ask the host to change it back. The host can also lock your name so you cannot change it yourself during the meeting.

Names in Zoom recordings and transcripts

When you change your profile name, it does not update your name in past recordings or transcripts. If you recorded a meeting under your old name, the recording will still show that old name. Future recordings will use your new name.

If you need to change the name shown in an old recording, you would need to re-record or edit the file outside of Zoom. Zoom does not offer a way to retroactively change names in saved recordings through the app or web interface.

Troubleshooting name changes that do not save

If you change your name but it does not appear to save, sign out of your Zoom account completely and sign back in. Sometimes the change needs a fresh login to display across all devices.

If you are using a work or school Zoom account, your organization's administrator may have locked your name so you cannot change it yourself. In that case, contact your IT department or administrator to request a name change. Personal Zoom accounts have no restrictions on name changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Zoom allows most characters, including emoji, in your display name. However, some special characters may not display correctly depending on the device or operating system. If a character does not appear as expected, try removing it and using standard letters and numbers instead.

Does changing my Zoom name change my email address or account login?

No. Your display name and your account email are separate. Changing your name does not affect the email address you use to sign in or the password to your account. Your login credentials stay the same.

Will people in my contacts see my new name right away?

Yes. Contacts who have you saved in their Zoom account will see your new name the next time they look at their contact list or join a meeting with you. The update happens automatically without any action needed from them.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

Follow the same steps to edit your profile name. Type your old name and save it. There is no limit to how many times you can change your name, and Zoom does not keep a history of previous names.

Can I have a different name on Zoom than on my calendar invites?

Your Zoom display name is separate from your name in calendar systems like Outlook or Google Calendar. You can change your Zoom name without affecting your calendar. However, when you send a Zoom meeting link through a calendar invite, your calendar name will appear in the invite, not your Zoom name.