Preferred Name Change FAQ

You can change your preferred first and last names at login.wvu.edu.

How is the preferred name process changing? 

Previously, employees and students had to submit a ticket to ITS to request a preferred name, and the change was made manually. The new Login feature eliminates the need for a ticket, automating and expediting the process. 

I already had a preferred name in some WVU systems using the old process. How will that be affected? 

If you have previously entered a preferred name in MAP or STAR, it will be automatically set for you. If you entered a preferred name in both systems, the MAP preferred name is the default until you change it.  

How do I change my preferred name?

1. Go to login.wvu.edu.

2. Select Manage Account. If you are not already logged in, you will be prompted to enter your Login credentials and authenticate with Duo.

3. Select the Profile tab.

4. Enter your Preferred First Name and/or Preferred Last Name.

5. Click Save.

6. A message will display at the top of the page. If your preferred name change is automatically approved, the message will say “Profile saved. Please allow 1 business day for systems to be updated.”
   While most changes are automatically approved, you may see a message that says your request is “Pending review.” This means your name is not found in the database and needs to be added. You will receive an email notification when your request is added and approved.

Can all systems display a preferred name? 

No. Not all vendors have updated their technology to accommodate preferred names. Additionally, some WVU systems allow either a preferred first or last name, but not both. As vendors upgrade their applications or new services come online at WVU, preferred names will automatically flow to them; whether the preferred names will be able to display may vary. 

Systems listed here will display your approved preferred name(s) as entered in Login self-service. However, systems that let you directly enter your preferred name, such as Zoom, will not be synchronized.  

Can alumni and former students select a preferred name? 

Alumni and former students cannot set preferred names through self-service at this time.  

How long will it take for my preferred name to show up once it’s approved? 

If your preferred name is automatically approved, it should appear in the systems that can accept it within eight hours. If a manual review is required, the process will generally take 1-3 business days. You will receive an email once the name is approved, and it will appear in WVU systems within eight hours of that notification. 

How does WVU determine whether a preferred name is automatically accepted?  

WVU’s identity management system checks submitted names against nearly 40 databases from both U.S. and international sources that collectively contain hundreds of thousands of names and nicknames. Any preferred name submissions that are found in one of these databases are automatically approved. Those that aren’t found in the databases will be reviewed by humans. As those names are approved, they will be added to the evolving WVU database so the next person who requests it will get automatic approval. 

After I select a preferred name, will that name appear in my email address? 

No, your email address will not change, but your display name will change.