It’s hard to imagine life today without Google Meet. Almost everyone relies on this platform for virtual meetings, seminars, lectures, tutoring, and more. Many users also pair Google Meet with Krisp to ensure a smoother experience without distracting background noise.
There are various reasons why people might want to change their display name on Google Meet. This article provides a straightforward guide to help you do just that. The process is simple, whether you want to present yourself more professionally, use a fun nickname, or recently change your surname after marriage. Regardless, here’s how you can update your name in Google Meet.
Why Change Your Name In Google Meet
Some of you might be curious why people change their names in Google Meet. While the reasons aren’t numerous, they might inspire you to consider your own reasons for making a change. It’s often a good idea to review your virtual presence, whether it’s your CV, your social media profiles, or platforms like Google Meet or Krisp.
Here are some common reasons why people change their names in Google Meet:
- Appearing Professional
Many people use Google Meet for work—whether for meetings, business discussions, or communicating with clients or colleagues. While the saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” the reality is that many people do. Using your full, professional name can make a good impression and even help you secure a deal or a job.
- Maintaining Privacy
Some users prefer to remain anonymous, especially in large webinars or lectures. They change their names to something different or even to “Anonymous.” While this might not be ideal for one-on-one meetings, it’s a useful strategy in settings where privacy is important.
- Fun Nicknames
Google Meet isn’t used solely for professional or educational purposes. People often use it to catch up with friends and family. When physical distance is hard to manage, platforms like Google Meet help make communication easier. People sometimes change their names to funny or playful nicknames for these more relaxed conversations to add fun to the experience.
- Life Events
Major life events such as getting married, divorced, or transitioning gender can be reasons to change your name. Once your name is legally updated, you can reflect that change across platforms like Google Meet.
How to Change Name in Google Meet via Google Account
Let’s start with simple ways of changing your name in Google Meet. So, the easiest way is to update your name on your Google account. Since Google Meet is connected to your Google account, any changes made to your account name will automatically reflect in the meetings.
Here’s how to do it:
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open Google Account Settings: Open your Google Account and log in with your credentials.
- Go to Personal Info: Once logged in, click on “Personal info” from the left-hand side menu.
- Edit Your Name: Under the “Profile” section, you’ll see an option to edit your name. Click on the pencil icon next to your name.
- Change Your First and Last Name: A form will appear where you can enter your desired first and last name.
- Save Changes: After typing your new name, click “Save” to apply the changes. This will update your display name across Google services, including Google Meet.
It is important to note that when you change your name this way, your display name will also be changed in Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive.
How to Change Your Name in Google Meet Without Changing Google Account Name
I’m sure you wonder how to change your name in Google Meet without affecting your Google account name. Don’t be afraid once you know how to do it, it will become easier each time. Here’s how to do it:
Using a Chrome Extension:
If you don’t want to change your Google Account name, then maybe you want to change your name temporarily. Let’s say just one call on Google Meet. Luckily, there are browser extensions like “Google Meet Name” that allow you to change your display name temporarily, just for Google Meet. Here’s how you can use one:
- Install the Extension: Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for “Google Meet Name Changer” or a similar extension.
- Open Google Meet: After installing the extension, open Google Meet and join a meeting.
- Change Display Name: Use the extension to change your name for that specific meeting.
This is a great problem solver for temporarily changing your name. It doesn’t officially change your name in Google Meet, just for a time.
Using an Incognito or Guest Mode in Chrome:
There is another great option for changing your name. You can join Google Meet in Incognito Mode or as a Guest. Here’s how:
- Open Incognito Mode: Open Google Chrome and start a new Incognito window (Ctrl + Shift + N).
- Join as a Guest: When joining a Google Meet meeting, you’ll be asked to enter your name manually since you’re not logged into your Google account.
- Enter Desired Display Name: Type in the name you want to display in the meeting.
This method ensures that your Google account name remains unchanged, and you can use any display name you prefer for specific meetings.
How to Change My Name in Google Meet on Mobile Devices
People don’t always join virtual meetings from a PC or laptop. Quite often, we join calls from our mobile devices for various reasons: your laptop’s battery might be low, you could be away from your PC or laptop, or you might simply find smartphones more convenient to use. Changing your name in Google Meet is also straightforward if you use the Google Meet app on your smartphone or tablet. You just need to update your name via your Google account on your mobile device.
For Android and iOS Users:
- Open Google Account Settings: On your mobile device, go to the Google app or use your browser to access your Google Account Settings.
- Navigate to Personal Info: Tap “Personal info” and scroll down to the “Name” section.
- Edit Your Name: Click the pencil icon next to your name to edit your first and last name.
- Save Changes: After updating, click “Save.” Your new name will now appear in Google Meet meetings.
How to Change Display Name in Google Meet for Education or Work Accounts
Changing your name can be a bit challenging if you are part of Google Workspace for Education or Business. In many cases, the admin controls this setting, which makes it impossible to change your name without the admin’s permission. Don’t worry; in this case, you just have to contact your administrator and follow his instructions.
For Managed Accounts:
- Contact Admin: Reach out to your admin and request them to update your display name.
- Wait for Changes: Once the admin makes the changes, your name will be updated across all Google services, including Google Meet.
Changing Your Name Before Joining a Google Meet Meeting
Another way to change your name on Google Meet is to enter a name if joining as a guest. The steps to do so are easy to learn. Follow these steps:
- Open Google Meet Link: Click on the meeting link you want to join.
- Join as Guest: If you’re not signed in to your Google account, it will ask you to enter your name before joining.
- Enter Display Name: Type in your preferred name, and this will be the name that other participants see during the meeting.
This is a great method of changing your name in Google Meet if you write different names every time. It is also great if you don’t log in to your Google account.
Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Change My Name in Google Meet?
Changing your name in Google Meet is easy if you follow the instructions, yet sometimes there can be issues. Below are some of them.
- Admin Restrictions: When you try to change your name using a work or school account, the administrator may restrict your ability. If this is the case, you must contact your admin.
- Google Account Sync Issues: When you change your name on your Google Account, it may take some time for your name to change on Google Meet. In this case, just log out and log back into your account or refresh the meeting.
- Incognito Mode Not Working: If you’re having trouble with Incognito Mode, try clearing your browser’s cache or using a different browser.
How Krisp Enhances Your Google Meet Experience
In addition to changing your Google Meet name, it’s a good idea to enhance your overall experience with the platform. Integrating Krisp with Google Meet can transform your virtual meetings, making them feel like in-person interactions by eliminating all background noise. Even if you’re in a noisy café, it will feel as though you’re speaking to your coworker as if they were right next to you, with no distractions from the surrounding environment.
If you wonder, this is how exactly Krisp enhances Google Meet:
Improved Audio Quality: Krisp ensures noise-free meetings by blocking out all unwanted noise. This is a great way to make a good impression during virtual meetings, interviews, webinars, etc.
Virtual Background: A proper background will enhance your professional appearance in Google Meet. If you are unsure which background to choose, you can blur it. Having no background other than an awkward one is always a good idea.
Meeting Note Taker: Don’t worry about taking notes during virtual meetings with Krisp. Meetings can be stressful when you must focus on writing down important points while staying engaged. Over time, it can become exhausting to juggle both tasks. Integrating Krisp with Google Meet makes meetings much easier thanks to its note-taking feature, which helps you capture important details effortlessly.
Transcription: The note-taking feature isn’t the only benefit of integrating Krisp with Google Meet. You can also enable transcription, allowing your meetings to be transcribed automatically. This makes it easy to review discussions without watching the entire meeting again. Although Google Meet also has a transcription feature, Krisp’s summarizing feature further simplifies the process, providing concise summaries for quick reference.
Conclusion
Meetings, lectures, and webinars have become as much a part of our lives as in-person ones. Therefore, having a proper appearance on these platforms is quite important. Your name, background, picture, and display name can all influence how people perceive you. Changing your name in Google Meet is a simple process, though it varies depending on whether you want to update your Google account name or just your display name for a specific meeting. While Google Meet pulls your name from your Google account by default, using incognito mode, guest mode, or Chrome extensions allows you to modify your display name temporarily. Many users also pair Google Meet with Krisp, a tool that eliminates background noise, enhancing their professionalism during virtual meetings. You just need to find the method that works best for you. Whatever method you choose, ensure it’s the most comfortable and convenient.
FAQ
To change your name in Google Meet, you’ll need to update your Google account name. Visit your Google Account Settings, go to the “Personal info” section, and update your first and last name. Once saved, your new name will be displayed in Google Meet and other Google services.
If you want to change your name in Google Meet without affecting your Google account name, you can use Incognito Mode or Guest Mode. When joining a meeting through Incognito or as a guest, Google Meet will prompt you to enter a name, allowing you to use a different display name just for that session. Alternatively, you can use third-party Chrome extensions to change your display name for the meeting temporarily.
You cannot directly change your display name during an ongoing meeting if you are logged into your Google account. However, if you’re in Guest Mode, you can manually enter a name before joining the meeting. For Google account users, you’ll need to change your Google account name before the meeting to update how your name appears.
To change your name in the Google Meet app, you’ll need to update your Google account name. Open the Google app or visit your account settings in your phone’s browser, navigate to “Personal info,” and update your name. The change will reflect across all Google services, including Google Meet.