Nicknames
by gen1nya
Nicknames lets a server give each player a display name that other players see in chat, the TAB list and above player heads.
What it does
The server stores each nickname as the source of truth and sends the full nickname map, keyed by player UUID, whenever a player joins or a nickname changes. Players may change their display name once, while server admins can set or clear nicknames at will. The mod works across Forge and Fabric clients and across Bukkit, Paper and Purpur servers, which sync nicknames to clients through Plugin Messaging.
A client with the mod receives the sync packet on the custom nicknames:sync channel, caches the names locally and draws them as proper nameplates above player heads. Clients without the mod still see nicknames in chat and on the TAB list, because that handling runs on the server. Localization is available in English and Russian. Builds cover 1.20.1 – 1.21.11 across Fabric and Forge, and the mod is released under the MIT License as open source.
Key features
Server-side nickname storage
Nicknames are kept on the server, which pushes changes to every connected player.
Chat and TAB list names
Display names replace player names in chat and in the TAB list, even without the client mod.
Nameplate rendering
A client with the mod caches received nicknames and shows them above player heads.
Localized interface
The interface text is provided in English and Russian.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
1.21.x11 of 11 versions with builds
1.20.x1 of 1 version with builds
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Roleplay servers
Server owners can give characters their own names in chat and above their heads, and admins can correct them when needed.
Who it’s for: Server owners and admins who want display names across mixed client setups, including players without the mod, and modders who build one module per target platform.
How it compares
Autonickname is server-side only and licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, with a Fabric file for 1.21.5. Local Identity is client-side only under the MIT License, for 1.21.11 on Fabric, so it changes names for one player rather than the whole server. Nick Display is client-side only for Forge 1.20.1 and is not open source.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | Fabric and Forge | 1.20.1 – 1.21.11 | Server required, client optional | 2026-03-07 |
| Autonickname | Fabric | 1.21.5 | Server-side only | 2025-06-01 |
| Local Identity | Fabric | 1.21.11 | Client-side only | 2026-07-24 |
| Nick Display | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client-side only | 2026-06-27 |
Questions
Does Nicknames need to be installed on the client?
Which server platforms does Nicknames support?
Can players change their nickname more than once?
In the catalog
Nicknames is one of 5,392 Social mods on ModsFinder, and one of 4,084 Social mods for Fabric. 19,862 mods support Minecraft 1.21.11.
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What the author says
A Minecraft mod/plugin that adds a simple nickname system. Players can change their display name once; server admins can manage nicknames freely. Supports Forge (1.20.1), Fabric (1.21.1), and Bukkit/Paper/Purpur (1.21.1).
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/nicknames
- Owner
- gen1nya
- Published
- 2026-03-07
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-03-07
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15