You can change another person's nickname on Discord only if you have the "Manage Nicknames" permission in that server
Discord lets server owners and moderators rename other members within a specific server — their nickname appears only in that server, not across Discord. To change someone's nickname, you need the Manage Nicknames permission, which is usually given to moderators and admins. The person being renamed keeps their original Discord username everywhere else; the nickname change affects only that one server.
The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way whether you're on desktop, mobile, or web. You right-click (or long-press) the person's name, select an option to edit their nickname, type the new name, and save it. The person gets a notification that their server nickname changed, though they can see who made the change.
Key Takeaways
- You need the "Manage Nicknames" permission in the server to change anyone else's nickname; server owners have this by default.
- A nickname change affects only that one server and does not change the person's actual Discord username.
- The person whose nickname changed receives a notification showing who changed it and what the new nickname is.
- You can change a nickname back to the person's original username by clearing the nickname field entirely.
- Server owners can prevent certain roles from having their nicknames changed by adjusting role permissions.
How to change a nickname on desktop or web
Open Discord and go to the server where you want to change the nickname. Find the person's name in the member list on the right side of the screen, or locate them in a channel. Right-click their name — a menu appears with several options.
Look for the option that says "Edit Server Profile" or "Change Nickname" (the exact wording depends on your Discord version). Click it, and a text box opens showing their current nickname or username. Delete the existing text and type the new nickname you want to give them. Press Enter or click Save, and the change takes effect immediately.
How to change a nickname on mobile
On iPhone or Android, open the Discord app and navigate to the server. Tap the person's name or avatar anywhere you see it — in the member list, in a message, or in a voice channel. Their profile card opens.
Look for a three-dot menu icon or an edit button on their profile card. Tap it and select "Edit Server Profile" or the equivalent option. The nickname field appears; clear it and type the new name. Tap Save or Done to confirm. The change applies immediately to that server.
What permissions you need to change nicknames
The Manage Nicknames permission is what controls this ability. Server owners have all permissions by default, including this one. If you are a moderator or admin, check whether your role has this permission enabled. Go to Server Settings, then Roles, find your role, and look for "Manage Nicknames" in the list — it should have a checkmark next to it.
If you do not see the option to edit someone's nickname, you likely do not have the permission. Ask a server owner or someone with higher permissions to either give you the Manage Nicknames permission or change the nickname for you.
Limitations on who you can rename
You cannot change the nickname of someone who has a higher role than you in the server hierarchy. Discord prevents lower-ranked members from renaming higher-ranked ones, even if they technically have the Manage Nicknames permission. For example, if someone is a server owner and you are a moderator, you cannot change their nickname.
You also cannot change your own nickname this way — you change your own server nickname by clicking your own name and selecting "Edit Server Profile," or by going to Server Settings and finding your profile there. Some servers restrict nickname changes entirely by removing the permission from all roles except owners, so you may not be able to change anyone's nickname depending on how the server is set up.
How to remove or reset a nickname
To remove a nickname and return someone to their original Discord username, follow the same steps to edit their nickname. When the text box opens, delete all the text so the field is completely empty. Save the change, and their server nickname disappears — they will now appear as their regular Discord username in that server.
This is useful if you gave someone a temporary nickname for an event or if you want to undo a change. The person receives a notification that their nickname was removed, just as they would for any other nickname change.
What the person sees when their nickname changes
When you change someone's nickname, they receive a notification in their notification center or in the server's audit log (if they have permission to view it). The notification tells them their server nickname changed and shows who made the change. They can see their new nickname immediately in the server — it appears next to their messages, in the member list, and in voice channels.
The person cannot prevent you from changing their nickname if you have the permission, but they can ask a server owner to change it back or to remove the Manage Nicknames permission from your role. Some servers use nicknames to show roles, ranks, or team assignments, so the person may understand the change is part of how the server is organized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone change their own nickname back if I change it?
Yes. Even if you change someone's nickname, they can change it back themselves by editing their own server profile. You would need to remove their ability to edit their own nickname through role permissions if you want to prevent them from changing it back. Most servers allow members to set their own nicknames.
Does changing a nickname affect their Discord username?
No. A server nickname is separate from a Discord username. Changing someone's server nickname changes only how they appear in that specific server. Their actual Discord username stays the same everywhere, and they can still be found and messaged using their real username.
Can I change the nickname of a bot?
Yes, you can change a bot's server nickname the same way you change a person's nickname. Right-click the bot's name, select "Edit Server Profile," and type a new nickname. This is often done to make bot names shorter or clearer in the member list.
What happens if I change someone's nickname while they are offline?
The change takes effect immediately on the server, even if the person is not online. When they log back in, they will see their new nickname and receive a notification that it was changed. The change does not require them to be online or to accept it.
Can a server owner prevent me from changing certain people's nicknames?
Yes. A server owner can set up role permissions so that certain roles cannot have their nicknames changed by others. For example, they might protect moderators or admins from being renamed. If you try to change someone's nickname and cannot, it may be because their role has this protection enabled.