Player Names
by boyonk
Player Names lets operators and players give entities a custom name with a command, including players themselves, so roleplay can use names beyond Minecraft usernames.
What it does
The mod adds a name command that sets, resets or renames a player or other entity. A custom name can be any text, and the rename shows as a display name above the target. Players who want proper names for roleplay can apply them without changing their account username.
Selecting a target takes either a player username, a selector or a UUID. The text-display variant needs valid raw JSON text, so colors and formatting can be applied. Because player names are fetched on the client, the mod is required on the client side, and Fabric API must also be installed.
Player Names is published for Fabric only, across 23 release versions 1.18 – 1.21.11. The latest Fabric file is 1.0+1.21.11 for 1.21.11, released on 2025-12-09. The mod is released under All rights reserved and is not open source.
Key features
Rename entities
A command sets a custom name on any entity, while a reset command returns it to the default name.
Player name changes
Players can be given a display name that differs from their account username, for roleplay or events.
Raw JSON text names
A text display variant accepts raw JSON text, so custom names can include colors and formatting.
Target selection
Targets can be chosen by username, target selector or UUID, which covers both players and mobs.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
1.20.x3 of 3 versions with builds
1.19.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.18.x3 of 3 versions with builds
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
Server staff can assign character names so players are addressed by their roleplay identity rather than their username.
Named mobs and villagers
Mobs, villagers and other entities can be given names for quests, pets or story scenes.
Who it’s for: Server owners and roleplay communities who want names that go beyond Minecraft usernames. Single-player players can use it too, since the client needs the mod.
How it compares
Rename Commands is a Fabric mod for 1.21 – 1.21.4, server-side only and open source under the MIT License, so clients need nothing. NameManager is a Fabric mod for 1.21.4, client-side only, with All rights reserved, so it does not run on servers. Player Names covers 1.18 – 1.21.11 and is client and server, which means the server and every player need it.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player Names | Fabric | 1.18 – 1.21.11 | Client and server | 2025-12-09 |
| Rename Commands | Fabric | 1.21 – 1.21.4 | Server-side only | 2025-02-08 |
| NameManager | Fabric | 1.21.4 | Client-side only | 2024-12-29 |
Questions
Does Player Names need Fabric API?
Does the server need Player Names installed?
Which game versions does Player Names support?
In the catalog
Player Names 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.
More from boyonk
Similar mods
What the author says
: entity - Specifies the entity whose name is to change.\ Must be a player username, a target selector or a UUID. - : component - Specifies the text to display as a name.\ Must be a valid raw JSON text.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/player-names
- Owner
- boyonk
- Published
- 2024-03-04
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-12-09
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15