Discrete Names
by Soladev
Discrete Names is a Fabric mod that replaces nametags with player names and pronouns shown below the cursor when a player is targeted.
What it does
Nametags are removed and each player's name appears under the crosshair only while another player is being looked at. Players set their pronouns with a command, and the pronouns are shown alongside the name. A reset command clears them. Discrete Names was built for small roleplay games in which players prefer no nametags, and its concept came from the minigame mod WATHE by RAT.
Settings are handled through MidnightLib. The default display range is 4 blocks, and the value can be set anywhere from 1 to 32 blocks. Nametags can still be rendered in creative and spectator mode, and the configuration menu can disable that behavior. Discrete Names requires Fabric API, and it is released under All rights reserved, so the code is not open source. The mod is published for Fabric only, in one release for 1.21.8.
The project is small and maintained day to day by a few friends, and the author welcomes suggestions and responds quickly to them. Public links to the source code and the issue tracker are available.
Key features
Targeted name display
Names appear below the cursor only when a player is targeted, replacing the usual nametag above every head.
Pronoun commands
Players define pronouns with a set command and remove them with a reset command.
Adjustable range
The distance at which names show is set to 4 blocks by default and can be changed from 1 to 32 blocks.
Creative and spectator nametags
Nametags still render in creative and spectator mode, and the configuration menu can turn this behavior off.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
Use cases
Roleplay servers
Groups running roleplay-oriented games can remove nametags and still show each character's name and pronouns when players look at them.
Who it’s for: The mod suits small roleplay-oriented games and servers where nametags are normally removed. Players and server owners who want names only on demand will find the targeted display useful.
How it compares
Show Player Nametags is a Fabric client mod for 1.21.2 – 1.21.11, client-side only and open source under the MIT License, and it does not handle pronouns. EasyPronouns is a Fabric server-side mod for 1.21.8 – 26.3 under a custom license that is not open source. Discrete Names is client and server, adds the pronoun commands and is released under All rights reserved.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discrete Names | Fabric | 1.21.8 | Client and server | 2026-01-25 |
| Show Player Nametags | Fabric | 1.21.2 – 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2025-08-19 |
| EasyPronouns | Fabric | 1.21.8 – 26.3 | Server-side only | 2026-07-20 |
Questions
Does Discrete Names need Fabric API?
Does the server need Discrete Names too?
How is the display range changed?
In the catalog
Discrete Names is one of 5,392 Social mods on ModsFinder, and one of 4,084 Social mods for Fabric. 17,695 mods support Minecraft 1.21.8.
Similar mods
What the author says
⚠️ This mod is a small project for some friends, and I will not look into maintaining it on a daily-basis. Suggestions are welcome, but do not expect fast responses. Discrete Names is a simple mod that remove nametags and make it so that names are displayed below the cursor when you're targeting a player. The mod…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/discrete-names
- Owner
- Soladev
- Published
- 2026-01-25
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-01-25
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15