Change your display name before or during a meeting
You can change the name that appears next to your video in Zoom at any time — before you join a meeting, while a meeting is running, or in your account settings. The fastest way during a call is to right-click your own video tile and select "Rename", type the new name, and press Enter. If you want to change it permanently in your account, go to your Zoom profile settings and update it there so it carries over to every meeting you join.
The name you set in your account settings becomes your default, but you can override it for a single meeting if you need to. This is useful if you want to use a nickname for one call but keep your full name in your account.
Key Takeaways
- During a meeting, right-click your own video and select "Rename" to change your display name for that call only.
- To change your name permanently, log into your Zoom account on the web, go to Profile, and edit the "First Name" and "Last Name" fields.
- Changes made in your account settings take effect the next time you join a meeting.
- Other participants see your display name in the participant list and next to your video tile, so choose a name that helps people identify you.
Change your name in Zoom account settings
Log into your Zoom account at zoom.us using your email and password. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the menu.
On your profile page, you will see your "First Name" and "Last Name" fields. Click the pencil icon next to either field to edit it. Type your new name and click the checkmark or press Enter to save. Zoom will ask you to confirm the change — click "Save" again.
Your updated name will appear in the next meeting you join. If you are already in a meeting when you make this change, you will need to leave and rejoin for the new name to show up.
Change your name during a Zoom meeting on desktop
Right-click on your own video tile (the one showing your camera feed). A menu will appear with several options. Select "Rename" from this menu.
A text box will open with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one. Press Enter or click outside the box to save. Your new name will appear when ready in the participant list and next to your video.
This change applies only to that meeting. When you join a different meeting, your name will revert to whatever is set in your account settings.
Change your name on mobile or tablet
Open the Zoom app and start or join a meeting. Tap the three dots (more options) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Select "Participants" to open the participant list.
Find your own name in the list and tap it. A menu will appear — select "Rename". Type your new name and tap "OK" or "Done" depending on your device. The change takes effect when ready for that meeting only.
If you want to change your name permanently on mobile, you will need to use the web version of Zoom (zoom.us) to edit your profile settings, as the mobile app does not have a profile editing feature.
Why you might want to change your display name
You may want to use a nickname or shortened version of your name for casual meetings with friends or colleagues. Some people use their full professional name in account settings but change it to "First Name (Pronouns)" during meetings where pronouns matter. Others use a nickname they go by in their workplace even though their legal name is in the system.
If you are hosting a meeting and want to appear as "Host" or another identifier, you can rename yourself so participants know who is running the call. This is especially useful in large meetings where the host's role is not when ready obvious.
What happens when you change your name
When you change your name in account settings, it updates everywhere you use Zoom — in meetings, in your profile, and in your chat history going forward. Past messages will still show your old name, but new messages will show your new name.
When you change your name during a single meeting, only that meeting is affected. Other participants in that meeting will see your new name, but the change does not carry over to other meetings or to your account settings.
If you change your name and then leave a meeting, your name reverts to your account setting when you rejoin a different meeting. Zoom does not save temporary name changes across sessions.
Troubleshooting name change issues
If you changed your name in account settings but it is not showing up in a meeting, try leaving the meeting and rejoining. Zoom sometimes caches your old name until you disconnect and reconnect.
If the "Rename" option does not appear when you right-click your video, you may not have permission to rename yourself — this can happen if the meeting host has restricted participant controls. In that case, ask the host to change your name for you, or contact Zoom support if you believe this is an error.
On mobile, if you cannot find the "Rename" option in the participant menu, make sure you are tapping your own name, not someone else's. You can only rename yourself, not other participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change someone else's name in a Zoom meeting?
Only if you are the host. Hosts can right-click any participant's name and select "Rename" to change how that person appears in the meeting. Regular participants can only change their own names. If you need someone's name corrected and you are not the host, ask the host to make the change.
Will changing my name affect my Zoom account or recordings?
Changing your name in account settings updates your profile and affects future recordings, but does not delete or change past recordings. Your old name will still appear in recordings made before the change. Changing your name during a single meeting does not affect recordings at all — your account name will appear in the recording.
What if I want to use different names for different meetings?
Set your account name to your default (usually your full name or professional name), then change it temporarily during each meeting where you want a different name. This way you have a consistent identity in your account but can customize how you appear in specific calls.
Can I use special characters or emoji in my Zoom name?
Zoom allows most characters, including emoji, in display names. However, some special characters may not display correctly depending on the device or operating system. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and underscores if you want your name to appear the same way for everyone.
Does my new name show up in the chat history?
Messages you sent before changing your name will still show your old name. Messages you send after changing your name will show your new name. If you change your name during a meeting and then send a chat message, it will appear under your new name in that meeting's chat.