Change your display name in Zoom before or during a meeting

You can change the name that appears to other people in Zoom in three ways: edit your profile name (which changes it for all future meetings), rename yourself in a specific meeting only, or change your name before you join. The fastest option depends on whether you want the change to stick permanently or just for one call.

Your profile name is what Zoom shows by default when you join any meeting. Changing it takes 30 seconds and affects every meeting you attend going forward. If you only want a different name for a single meeting — to use a nickname, hide your real name, or test the feature — you can rename yourself without touching your profile.

Key Takeaways

  • Edit your profile name in Zoom's account settings to change your name for all future meetings.
  • Rename yourself in a specific meeting by right-clicking your own video tile or name in the participant list and selecting "Rename".
  • You can change your name before joining a meeting by typing a different name in the "Your name" field on the join screen.
  • Meeting hosts can also rename participants, but the change only lasts for that one meeting.
  • If you join with a Google or Microsoft account, your Zoom name may sync with that account's name unless you override it.

Edit your profile name for all meetings

Go to zoom.us and sign in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. You will see your name displayed near the top of the page. Click the pencil icon next to your name to edit it.

Type your new name in the text field and click "Save". The change takes effect when ready. The next time you join any Zoom meeting, your new name will appear to other participants. If you have already joined a meeting with your old name, you will need to leave and rejoin for the new name to show.

Rename yourself in a single meeting

If you only want to use a different name for one meeting, you do not need to change your profile. During the meeting, locate your own name in the participant list on the right side of the screen. Right-click on your name and select "Rename". A text box will appear where you can type a new name.

Type the name you want to use and press Enter. Your name will change when ready for everyone in that meeting. When the meeting ends, your name reverts to your profile name. The next time you join a different meeting, you will appear under your original profile name again unless you rename yourself in that meeting too.

Change your name before joining a meeting

If you have not yet joined a meeting, you can type a different name on the join screen. When you click a meeting link or enter a meeting ID, Zoom shows a screen with a "Your name" field. Type whatever name you want to use and then click "Join Meeting".

This method works whether you are signed in to your Zoom account or joining as a guest. The name you type will appear to other participants in that meeting only. If you join another meeting later, you will need to type a name again, or Zoom will use your profile name if you are signed in.

How meeting hosts can rename participants

If you are hosting a meeting, you can rename any participant without their permission. Right-click on their name in the participant list and select "Rename". Type the new name and press Enter. The participant will see their name change on their own screen, but the change only lasts for that meeting.

Hosts sometimes use this feature to add context — like adding someone's company name, role, or pronunciation guide to their display name. When the meeting ends, the participant's name returns to whatever it was before. This does not change their profile name or affect any other meetings.

What happens if you sign in with Google or Microsoft

If you created your Zoom account using Google Sign-In or Microsoft Sign-In, Zoom may pull your name from that account automatically. Your Zoom display name will match your Google or Microsoft account name unless you override it by editing your Zoom profile.

To use a different name in Zoom than your Google or Microsoft account shows, edit your Zoom profile name as described above. Your Zoom name will then stay separate from your Google or Microsoft name. If you change your name in Google or Microsoft later, your Zoom name will not update automatically — you will need to change it manually in Zoom if you want them to match again.

Troubleshooting name changes that do not appear

If you changed your profile name but it still shows your old name in meetings, you may not have saved the change. Go back to your profile page and confirm the new name appears there. If it does, try signing out of Zoom completely and signing back in, then join a new meeting.

If you renamed yourself during a meeting and the new name did not appear, make sure you pressed Enter after typing. If you right-clicked on someone else's name by mistake, the rename will not work. If you are trying to rename yourself but only see a "Leave Meeting" option when you right-click, you may be using the Zoom mobile app, which does not support renaming yourself — use the desktop or web version instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name in the Zoom mobile app?

You can edit your profile name in the Zoom mobile app by tapping your profile picture, selecting "Profile", and editing your name. However, the mobile app does not let you rename yourself during a meeting the way the desktop version does. To rename yourself in a specific meeting, use the desktop or web version of Zoom.

Will changing my Zoom name affect my email or calendar?

No. Your Zoom display name is separate from your email address and calendar name. Changing your Zoom name does not change how you appear in Outlook, Gmail, or any other service. Only your Zoom meetings will show the new name.

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

Zoom allows most special characters and emojis in display names. However, some characters may not display correctly depending on the participant's device or operating system. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation if you want your name to appear the same way for everyone.

What if I want to hide my real name in a meeting?

You can use any name you want in Zoom. Before joining a meeting, type a nickname or pseudonym in the "Your name" field. Or if you are already in a meeting, rename yourself using the right-click menu. No one in the meeting will see your real name unless you tell them or your profile name is visible elsewhere.

Does the meeting host get notified when I change my name?

No. When you rename yourself during a meeting, the host does not receive a notification. They will straightforward see your new name appear in the participant list. If the host is watching the participant list closely, they may notice the change, but Zoom does not alert them to it.