How to Enable and Change Nicknames for Contacts on an iPhone

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Show and add nicknames for your iPhone contacts

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: October 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Displaying Nicknames
|
• Adding a Nickname to a Contact
|
• Troubleshooting Nicknames

|Show more |Show less

Do you want a different name to show for your contacts on iPhone? You can add a nickname to change someone's display name. These nicknames will replace a contact’s first and last name any time a contact calls, texts, or emails you. Here's how to display nicknames for contacts on an iPhone.

Quick Steps

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Contacts.
3. Tap Short Name.
4. Toggle on Prefer Nicknames.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Displaying Nicknames

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1. 
   1
   Open your iPhone’s Settings. This is the grey cog icon.

   • If you don't see Settings, you can find it in the App Library.
2. 
   2
   Tap Apps and select Contacts. Scroll to the bottom of the Settings menu and tap Apps, then locate Contacts in the C section of the Apps menu.

   • If you're using iOS 17 or earlier, scroll down in the main Settings menu and tap Contacts. You can find this underneath Passwords and Mail.
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3. 
   3
   Tap Short Name. This is below Display Order.
4. 
   4
   Toggle on

   

   "Prefer Nicknames". Your iPhone will now display the contact's assigned nickname when receiving a call or message from them.
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Section 2 of 3:

Adding a Nickname to a Contact

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1. 
   1
   Open the Contacts app. This looks like a grey person icon with colored tabs on the right.
2. 
   2
   Tap on a contact to edit. All of your contacts will be listed on the left side of the screen. You can use the search bar to quickly find someone.

   • You can add a new contact if necessary.
3. 
   3
   Tap Edit. This button is in the upper-right corner of the screen.
4. 
   4
   Scroll down and tap add field. This button is right above the Linked Contacts section.
5. 
   5
   Tap Nickname. It is located at the bottom of the first group of options in the popup menu. The popup menu will disappear.
6. 
   6
   Tap the "Nickname" field. This is underneath the contact's last name field.
7. 
   7
   Enter a nickname and tap Done. This is at the top-right corner of the screen. The nickname will replace the contact’s actual name and will appear anytime the contact is displayed during a phone call, text message, or email.
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Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting Nicknames

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1. 
   1
   Restart your iPhone. If nicknames aren't appearing for a contact, a simple restart may fix it.
2. 
   2
   Toggle on and off "Prefer Nicknames". Return to Settings > Contacts > Short Name. Turn off Prefer Nicknames, and then turn it on again.
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