Have you ever wanted to go by something other than your username on Discord? I‘m here to teach you how to change your nickname easily in just 3 steps.
Why Nicknames Matter on Discord
As a dedicated Discord user for 5 years and chat moderator for 2 large servers, I often get questions about how to customize names on the platform. Unlike other social networks that lock you into a single identity, Discord provides flexibility through display names and server-specific nicknames.
But why do nicknames matter for the average user? Here‘s 3 key reasons:
- Allows segmented identities across servers
- Lets you reinvent yourself overtime
- Connects names to interests
Let‘s look at some examples:
Jenny‘s core Discord username is Jenny#4211. But her display name reads "Jenhance" and her nickname on a gaming server is "StellarRogue". By contrast, on an investing server, she goes by "JGonzales" to project a more professional identity.
Nicknames empower personal expression!
According to Maria Santos, a Discord Community Outreach Associate I interviewed, "We encourage server-specific names as a way to connect members more deeply around shared interests."
Now that you know why nicknames are so cool, let me reveal the simple steps for how to change them on desktop and mobile.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Desktop Guide
Follow along below to change your nickname in Discord on a laptop or PC:
Step 1 — Access Server Profile
Click downward arrow next to the server name > Server Settings > Edit Server Profile
Step 2 — Locate Nickname Field
Under "Server Profile" section find the "Server Nickname" text box
Step 3 — Change & Save
Type new nickname > Click blue "Save" button
Refer to the example below:
And voila! Your updated nickname should display automatically whenever you send messages in that server from desktop.
Mobile Walkthrough
Here‘s how to change your Discord nickname on iOS, Android, or other mobile devices:
Step 1 — Tap Server
Step 2 — Open Menu > Profile
Step 3 — Set Nickname > Save
See this step-by-step example:
It‘s super fast to update nicknames on the go too!
Nickname Best Practices
I want to share some pro tips from my years as a chat mod to avoid headaches around nicknames:
✔️ Be considerate of communities that discourage frequent changes
✔️ Remember the 32 character limit
✔️ Impersonation or trolling with names risks bans
I double checked the latest community guidelines and they prohibit using names "in a manner seen as impersonation or deception."
Discord works best when you respect server cultures and build connection through authentic nicknames. Need more advice? Reach out to me here!
Now put this guide into action and start personalizing your names across the many Discord servers you love. Enjoy standing out from the crowd and showing off what makes you unique!
