How to Change Display Name in Zoom: Profile, Meeting & Webinar

This is an independent guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

You join a client call and glance at the participants list. Your display name reads "Mom's Laptop." Your colleague shows up as "iPhone User." The CEO's name is misspelled. Not exactly the professional impression your team was going for.

Your Zoom display name is the first thing people see when you enter a meeting. It shows up in the participants panel, in chat messages, and in meeting recordings. Getting it right takes about 30 seconds, but most people never bother until it causes an awkward moment.

This guide shows you how to change your display name in Zoom on your profile (permanently), during an active meeting (temporarily), and in webinars. You'll find step-by-step instructions for desktop, laptop, mobile, and even as a guest without an account.

How to Change Your Display Name in Zoom Profile (Permanently)

Changing your display name in your Zoom profile updates it across every meeting you join going forward. This is the permanent fix. Do it once, and you won't have to rename yourself every time you hop on a call.

On the Desktop App

Open the Zoom desktop app, click your profile picture in the top-right corner, and select "My Profile." This opens the web portal in your browser, where you follow the same steps above.

The desktop app itself doesn't have a direct name-editing field. It always redirects you to the web portal. This applies to both Windows and Mac.

On the Mobile App (iOS & Android)

Open the Zoom mobile app, tap "More" in the bottom-right corner, then tap your profile name at the top. Tap "Display Name," enter your new name, and tap "Save." The change syncs to your account instantly.

Looking for ways to make your video calls more polished overall? Check out our tips for looking good on video calls.

Picture this: you're joining a networking event from your work laptop, but your name shows your company email alias instead of your actual name. A quick in-meeting rename fixes it in seconds without leaving the call.

On Mobile During a Meeting

Tap "Participants" at the bottom, tap your own name, then tap "Rename." Enter your new name and tap "Done." Same quick fix, same temporary change.

Note: The host can disable the rename option for participants. If you don't see "Rename" in the menu, the host has restricted it. You'll need to ask them to rename you, or change your name in your Zoom profile for the permanent fix.

Want meetings where your team doesn't have to fuss with display names? Virtual office spaces let you set your name once and move freely between conversations.

How to Change Name on Zoom Without Signing In

You don't need a Zoom account to join meetings. If you join as a guest, Zoom asks you to enter a name before you enter the meeting room. That name becomes your display name for the session.

Here's how it works:

1. Click the meeting invite link or enter the meeting ID on zoom.us/join
2. If prompted to sign in, click "Join as a guest" or "Join from your browser"
3. Enter your preferred display name in the name field
4. Click "Join Meeting"

If you're already in the meeting and want to change it, use the Participants panel method described above. The rename option works for guests too, as long as the host hasn't disabled it.

Waiting room tip: If the meeting has a waiting room, the host sees the name you entered before admitting you. Make sure you type the right name before joining, so the host recognizes you and lets you in quickly.

How to Change Your Display Name in a Zoom Webinar

Webinars handle display names differently from regular meetings. As an attendee, you typically can't rename yourself during the webinar. Your name comes from one of two places: your Zoom profile (if you're signed in) or the registration form (if the webinar required registration).

To make sure your webinar display name is correct:

• Before a registered webinar: Update your name in the registration form before the webinar starts. If you already registered, check your confirmation email for a link to update your registration details.
• Before a non-registered webinar: Change your display name in your Zoom profile using the steps above. The profile name is what attendees and panelists will see.
• As a panelist: Panelists can rename themselves during the webinar. Click "Participants," find your name, click "More," and select "Rename."

If you're a webinar host, you can rename any attendee or panelist from the Attendees panel. This is useful when someone joins with a phone number or generic name and you need to identify them.

For tips on running interactive sessions beyond basic webinars, explore features for engaging online meetings.

How to Change Name on Zoom on Laptop vs. Mobile vs. Web

The process varies slightly depending on your device. Here's a quick comparison:

If you're changing your name on Zoom on a laptop specifically, the fastest path is going directly to zoom.us/profile in your browser. The desktop app just sends you there anyway.

All permanent changes sync across devices within a few seconds. Change your name on your laptop, and it updates on your phone too.

Why Your Zoom Display Name Won't Change (Troubleshooting)

Sometimes you change your display name and it snaps right back. Or the rename option is completely missing. Here are the most common reasons and fixes:

Your admin locked your profile. If you're on a company or school Zoom account, your IT admin can prevent users from editing their display name. The name gets pulled from your organization's directory (like Active Directory or Google Workspace). Contact your IT department to request a change.

SSO/SAML is overriding your name. Organizations that use Single Sign-On often sync display names from their identity provider. Every time you sign in, Zoom pulls the name from SSO and overwrites whatever you entered manually. The fix is to update your name in your organization's identity system, not in Zoom.

You changed it in the wrong place. Renaming yourself during a meeting only lasts for that session. If you want a permanent change, update your Zoom profile through the web portal or mobile app.

Zoom Workplace app sync delay. After the rebrand to Zoom Workplace, some users reported name changes taking up to 24 hours to propagate. Sign out and sign back in to force a sync.

The host disabled renaming. Meeting hosts can turn off the "Allow Participants to Rename Themselves" setting. If the Rename option is grayed out or missing during a meeting, this is likely why. Ask the host to enable it, or change your name in your profile before the next meeting.

For a meeting experience where you don't have to worry about participant lists at all, try a virtual office platform where your name sits above your avatar as you walk around the space.

Other Guides & Useful Pages

• Zoom profile settings (Zoom Support)
• Changing your name in Zoom (Zoom Support)
• How to raise your hand in Zoom
• Online meeting features that boost engagement

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