Change your display name in the Zoom app or web portal in under a minute

Your Zoom display name is what other meeting participants see next to your video or in the participant list. You can change it before joining a meeting, during a meeting, or in your account settings. The method depends on whether you want to change it just for one meeting or permanently across all your Zoom activity.

Zoom stores your display name in your profile. If you have a free account, you can change it anytime. If your organization manages your Zoom account (through a work or school), your administrator may have locked your name so you cannot change it yourself — in that case, you will need to contact them.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your display name before a meeting starts, during a meeting, or anytime in your account settings without affecting past recordings or chat history.
  • Changing your name in account settings updates it for all future meetings, while changing it during a meeting affects only that single session.
  • If your Zoom account is managed by your employer or school, your administrator may prevent you from changing your name yourself.
  • Your display name change takes effect immediately for other participants; you do not need to restart Zoom or rejoin the meeting.

Change your name in Zoom account settings

This method changes your name permanently across all Zoom meetings going forward. Sign in to your Zoom account on the web at zoom.us, then click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the dropdown menu.

On your profile page, find the "Full Name" field near the top. Click the pencil icon next to your current name to edit it. Type your new name, then click "Save" to confirm the change. The new name will appear in all future meetings you join or host.

Change your name for a single meeting

If you want to use a different name for just one meeting without changing your permanent profile, you can do this before the meeting starts or while the meeting is in progress.

Before joining: When you see the preview screen before entering a meeting, your name appears in a field at the bottom. Click on your name and type a new one. This temporary name will be used only for that meeting.

During the meeting: Once you are in the meeting, hover over your own video tile or find your name in the participant list on the right side. Click the three dots (more options) next to your name and select "Rename." Type your new name and click "OK." Other participants will see the change immediately.

Change your name on the Zoom mobile app

On iPhone or Android, open the Zoom app and tap your profile picture at the bottom right of the screen. Tap "Edit" next to your name at the top of your profile. Type your new name and tap "Save" to update it permanently.

To change your name for a single meeting on mobile, tap your profile picture before joining the meeting and edit the name field that appears. This change applies only to that meeting.

What happens when you change your name

Changing your display name does not affect any recordings of past meetings, chat messages you have sent, or your account history. Other participants will see your new name immediately in the participant list and next to your video. If you change your name during a meeting, people who are already in the meeting will see the update right away without needing to refresh or rejoin.

If you change your name in your account settings, it becomes your default name for all future meetings. You can still use a different name for individual meetings by changing it before you join or while you are in the meeting.

If your name is locked and you cannot change it

Some Zoom accounts are managed by an organization — typically a workplace, school, or government agency. If your account is managed this way, your administrator may have restricted your ability to change your display name. You will see a message saying your name is locked or managed by your organization.

To change a locked name, contact your Zoom administrator or the IT department at your organization. They can either unlock the setting so you can change it yourself, or they can change it for you directly in the admin console.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different name in different meetings?

Yes. You can change your name before joining each meeting, and that name will apply only to that meeting. Your permanent profile name stays the same. This is useful if you want to use your full name in professional meetings but a nickname in casual ones.

Will changing my name affect my Zoom recordings?

No. Recordings made before you change your name will still show your old name in the recording. Recordings made after the change will show your new name. The content of the recording does not change.

What if I forget what my original name was?

You can see your current display name anytime by opening your profile in the Zoom app or on zoom.us. If you want to restore a previous name, simply edit the name field again and type what you want. Zoom does not store a history of past names.

Can I change my name if I am a guest in someone else's meeting?

Yes. Before you join the meeting, you will see a screen asking for your name. Type the name you want to use for that meeting. If you are already in the meeting, you can still rename yourself using the participant list menu.

Does my new name show up in the meeting chat?

Yes. Any chat messages you send after changing your name will show your new name as the sender. Messages you sent before the change will still show your old name.