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Update Your Chosen Name

Update Your Chosen Name

Owned by Cassandra Rinker
Last updated: Jun 05, 2025

A chosen name is any name you choose to use other than your legal name. For example, you may wish to shorten your first name (e.g., Amanda to Mandy), use a nickname, or go by your middle name instead of first name. 

West Virginia University and Information Technology Services are committed to inclusion and recognize that individuals have a variety of reasons for using a chosen name. All active WVU faculty, staff and students may select a chosen name for identification with the University information systems that are technically capable of accepting such names. 

Your legal name will continue to be associated with your WVU account and will appear on official documents generated by the University, including but not limited to transcripts, diplomas and verification documents. View Update Your Personal Information for information about changing your legal name.

Update your chosen name

  1. Log into okta.wvu.edu (login.wvu.edu).

  2. Click your name in the upper-right corner to open a drop-down menu.

  3. Click My Settings.

  4. Click Manage personal information.

  5. Click Edit details.

  6. Enter your chosen name then click Save. Please note it may take one business day for name updates to appear in eligible systems.

Systems that display chosen names

Chosen names may not display in all University information systems due to technical limitations and/or compliance requirements. Many vendors have yet to enable this option in their services, but many are working on it.  

You may see the term “preferred” name in technology systems that were built with that verbiage.

Target System​ 

Chosen ​ First​ 

Chosen ​ Last​ 

MIX 

Yes​ 

Yes​ 

Microsoft 365​ 

Yes​ 

Yes​ 

Selecting a chosen name will change the way your name displays on your email, but it won’t change your email address. For questions about email aliases for @mail.wvu.edu accounts, contact the ITS Service Desk.

STAR/Banner​ 

Yes 

​No

iServe

Yes

Yes

Degree Works​ 

Yes​ 

​No

eCampus​/Blackboard 

Yes 

​No

Portal​ 

Yes​ 

​No

Mountaineer Card 

Yes​

Yes​ 

The University Police Department requires that legal names to be printed on the backs of WVU ID cards for identification purposes in case of emergencies.

WVU Directory

Yes

Yes

Zoom 

View Change Your Zoom Display Name for more information.

Need help?

If you experience problems related to the use of your chosen name, you should contact the Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance.

For technical questions about updating your chosen name, contact the ITS Service Desk