Discord lets you set a custom name for any friend in your server, separate from their actual username
When you change a friend's nickname on Discord, you are creating a label that only you see — it does not change their actual username or affect how other people see them. This is useful when you have friends with usernames that are hard to remember, or when you want to add context like their real name, location, or a joke you share. The nickname appears next to their messages and in the member list, but only on your screen.
The process is different depending on whether you are in a server (a group chat space) or a direct message with that person. Servers have stricter rules about who can change nicknames, while direct messages let you nickname anyone without permission. Both take less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- In a server, you can only change a friend's nickname if you have the permission to manage nicknames, which the server owner must grant you first.
- In a direct message, you can change anyone's nickname without asking permission, and it affects only how you see them.
- Right-click or long-press on the person's name or profile to find the nickname option.
- Nicknames can be up to 32 characters and can include spaces and most symbols.
How to change a nickname in a server where you have permission
Open Discord and go to the server where your friend is a member. Find their name in the member list on the right side of the screen, or find a message they sent in any channel. Right-click on their name (or long-press if you are on mobile). A menu will appear with several options.
Look for the option that says "Change Nickname" or "Edit Nickname" — the exact wording depends on your Discord version, but it will be near the top of the menu. Click it. A text box will open where you can type the new nickname. Type whatever name you want them to have, then press Enter or click the checkmark button to save it. The nickname takes effect when ready and only you see it in that server.
If you do not see a "Change Nickname" option, you do not have the permission to change nicknames in that server. Ask the server owner or a moderator to give you the "Manage Nicknames" permission, or ask them to change the nickname for you.
How to change a nickname in a direct message
Open a direct message with the friend whose nickname you want to change. Click on their username at the top of the chat window. Their profile card will open on the right side of the screen. Look for a pencil icon or "Edit" button near their name at the top of the profile card.
Click the pencil icon. A text box will appear where you can type a nickname for them. Type the name you want to use, then press Enter or click outside the box to save it. This nickname only affects how you see them in direct messages — it does not change anything for other people or in servers.
What happens when you change someone's nickname
When you change a friend's nickname in a server, only you see the new name. Everyone else in that server still sees their original username. If you change their nickname in a direct message, that nickname appears only in your direct message with them — it does not affect servers or how other people see them anywhere.
The person whose nickname you changed does not get a notification that you changed it. They will not know unless you tell them. If you remove a nickname (by deleting the text and saving), their original username appears again.
Clearing or removing a nickname you set
To remove a nickname and go back to seeing someone's original username, follow the same steps you used to set it. Right-click their name (in a server) or click the pencil icon (in a direct message). Delete all the text in the nickname box so it is empty, then press Enter or click outside the box. Their original username will appear again.
You can change or remove a nickname as many times as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can edit it, and the person will not be notified of changes.
Nickname rules and limits
Discord allows nicknames up to 32 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most symbols including hyphens, underscores, and periods. Some special characters like @ or # may not work. If you try to use a character Discord does not allow, it will show an error message when you try to save.
Nicknames in servers are separate from nicknames in direct messages — you can give the same person different nicknames in different places, and Discord keeps them separate. If you change servers, the nicknames you set in one server do not carry over to another server.
Troubleshooting when you cannot change a nickname
If you right-click someone's name and do not see a "Change Nickname" option in a server, the server owner has not given you the "Manage Nicknames" permission. You will need to ask the owner or a moderator to either give you that permission or change the nickname for you. Permissions are set by the server owner and can be different for different people.
If you are trying to change a nickname in a direct message and the option does not appear, try clicking on their username at the top of the chat instead of right-clicking their message. On mobile, make sure you are tapping their profile card, not just their name in the message itself. If the pencil icon still does not appear, try closing and reopening Discord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the person see what nickname I gave them?
No. They will not see the nickname you set unless you tell them. Discord does not notify users when someone changes their nickname, and the nickname only appears on your screen.
Will my nickname for someone carry over to other servers?
No. Nicknames are specific to each server and to direct messages. If you give someone a nickname in Server A, that nickname does not appear in Server B or in direct messages with them. You would need to set a separate nickname in each place.
What if I want to change someone's nickname but I am not the server owner?
Ask the server owner or a moderator to give you the "Manage Nicknames" permission. Once you have it, you can change nicknames the same way. If they will not give you the permission, you can ask them to change the nickname for you instead.
Can I use emojis in a nickname?
Yes, you can use emojis in nicknames on most Discord versions. Type or paste an emoji into the nickname box the same way you would in a regular message. Keep in mind that emojis count toward the 32-character limit.
What is the difference between a nickname and a username?
A username is the name someone chose when they created their Discord account — it is the same everywhere and everyone sees it. A nickname is a custom label you create just for yourself in a specific server or direct message. Only you see your nicknames.