Reliable Name Tags
by Cassian
Reliable Name Tags lets players rename mobs with name tags on Fabric and NeoForge, and it changes how the tags behave in crafting and combat.
What it does
Right-clicking a name tag in the air opens a renaming screen, so a player can change the name without an anvil. The screen accepts Placeholder API's QuickText format on Fabric. Name tags can also be combined with items in a crafting recipe, and a mob that is renamed drops its name tag when killed. Shearing a renamed mob removes the name.
Every player and the server need a copy of the mod. Fabric API is required on Fabric, and McQoy is an optional companion that the author recommends for configuration. The mod is released under the Apache License 2.0, and its source code and issue tracker are public. Files cover game versions 1.21.1 – 26.3 with six release versions, and snapshot builds are published as well.
The mod is published for Fabric and NeoForge. The latest Fabric file is 2.0.0+26.2-fabric for 26.3, released on 2026-09-11, and the latest NeoForge file is 2.0.0+26.1.2-neoforge for 26.1.2, released on 2026-06-02 on the beta channel. The mod is actively maintained for the latest versions, and the author does not plan to backport it to older releases.
Key features
Renaming in the air
Right-clicking a name tag in the air opens a screen for choosing a new name, without needing an anvil.
Placeholder API formatting
The renaming screen supports the QuickText format from Placeholder API on Fabric.
Crafting with items
Name tags can be crafted together with items, so the tag and the item are combined into one recipe.
Drops from renamed mobs
A renamed mob drops its name tag when it dies, and shearing the mob removes the name.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
This mod also publishes snapshot builds. Snapshots are not shown in the matrix.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
Optional 1
Use cases
Who it’s for: Players and server owners on Fabric or NeoForge who want name tags to work without anvils. Both the server and each player must install the mod.
How it compares
Tab Name Tag is client-side only and open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only, with files for 1.20 – 26.3 on Fabric, NeoForge and Quilt. Craftable Name Tag is server-side required with client optional, under the MIT License and not open source, for 1.20.1 – 26.1.2 on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt. Reliable Name Tags needs both sides, and its license is the Apache License 2.0.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reliable Name Tags | Fabric and NeoForge | 1.21.1 – 26.3 | Client and server | 2026-09-11 |
| Tab Name Tag | Fabric, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.20 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-03-24 |
| Craftable Name Tag | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.20.1 – 26.1.2 | Server required, client optional | 2026-04-18 |
Questions
Does Reliable Name Tags need Fabric API?
Does the server need Reliable Name Tags?
Which versions does Reliable Name Tags support?
In the catalog
Reliable Name Tags is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.
More from Cassian
Similar mods
What the author says
Lets you right-click Name Tags in the air to change their name - a port of Convenient Name Tags to modern versions. Reliable Name Tags is available under the open source Apache 2.0 License. Note that this means you are required to attribute the mod if you use any content from it in your own projects.
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/reliable-name-tags
- Owner
- Cassian
- Published
- 2026-06-02
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-09-11
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15