Change your display name in Zoom settings

Your Zoom display name is what other meeting participants see when you join a call. You can change it at any time through your account settings, whether you're on a computer or phone. The name you set here appears by default in every meeting you join, though you can also change it for individual meetings if you need to.

On a computer, sign into your Zoom account at zoom.us, then go to Settings in the left menu. Click Profile, and you'll see your current name in the "First Name" and "Last Name" fields. Edit these fields to whatever name you want to display, then scroll down and click Save Changes. The new name takes effect the next time you join a meeting.

On a phone or tablet, open the Zoom app, tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner, then tap Edit Profile. Change your first and last name in the fields provided and tap Save. Again, this change applies to future meetings you join.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name in Zoom settings changes what other participants see in all your future meetings.
  • You can edit your name through zoom.us on a computer or through the Zoom app on your phone by going to your profile settings.
  • Changes to your account name take effect the next time you join a meeting, not retroactively in past recordings or chats.
  • You can also change your name for a single meeting by editing it in the meeting settings before or after you join, without changing your account name.

Change your name for one meeting only

If you want to use a different name in just one meeting without changing your account settings, you can do that before the meeting starts. In your Zoom calendar or meeting list, find the meeting you're about to join, click the three dots next to it, and select Edit. Look for the name field and type in the name you want to use for that meeting only. When you join, you'll appear under that temporary name.

You can also change your name after you've already joined a meeting. Click the Participants button at the bottom of the screen, find your own name in the list, hover over it, and click More (the three dots). Select Rename and type the new name. This change only affects that specific meeting and won't change your account name.

What happens to your name in recordings and chat

If a meeting is recorded, your name appears in the recording exactly as it showed during the live meeting. If you change your account name after a meeting has been recorded, the recording still shows the name you had when the meeting happened. Chat messages you send during a meeting show your name at the time you sent them, so if you changed your name mid-meeting, earlier messages show your old name and later ones show your new name.

If you're concerned about how your name appears in a recording that's already been saved, contact the meeting host or the person who recorded it. They may be able to edit the recording or provide you with a copy where you can make changes yourself, depending on where the recording is stored.

Changing your name if you use Zoom through work or school

If your Zoom account is managed by your workplace or school, you may not be able to change your display name yourself. Your organization's IT department or Zoom administrator controls what name appears on your account. Contact them to request a name change, and explain why you need it changed. They can update it in the admin settings, and the change will take effect on your account.

Even if your account name is locked, you can still change your name for individual meetings using the method described above. This temporary change won't affect your official account name, so it's useful if you need a different name for a specific meeting but can't change your account settings.

Troubleshooting name changes that don't appear

If you changed your name but it still shows your old name in meetings, try signing out of Zoom completely and signing back in. Sometimes the app or browser needs to refresh to show the updated information. Close the Zoom app entirely (not just the meeting window) and reopen it, or clear your browser cache if you use Zoom in a web browser.

If you're joining a meeting through a link rather than through your Zoom account, your display name may default to whatever name is in your device settings or browser profile. In that case, you'll see a prompt to enter your name when you join the meeting. Type the name you want to use for that meeting and proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a nickname or pseudonym on Zoom?

Yes. Zoom doesn't require you to use your legal name. You can set any name you want in your account settings or for individual meetings. If your organization manages your account, they may have policies about what names are allowed, so check with your IT department if you're unsure.

Will changing my name affect my Zoom ID or meeting links?

No. Your Zoom ID and any meeting links you've created stay the same when you change your display name. Only what other people see when you join a meeting changes. Your account number and all your scheduled meetings remain unchanged.

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

Go back to your profile settings and edit your name to whatever you want it to be. There's no limit to how many times you can change it. If you're using a work or school account, contact your administrator to request the change.

Does changing my name on Zoom affect my name on other platforms?

No. Your Zoom display name is separate from your name on Gmail, Microsoft Teams, Slack, or any other service. Changing it in Zoom only affects how you appear in Zoom meetings.