Preferred Name

How to set up your "preferred name" to be used around campus.

Sometimes, the name you go by every day might be different from your legal name

We want to make sure you feel comfortable being called the name that suits you best. That’s why employees can set a "Preferred Name" to be used across campus.

What's a Preferred Name?

A Preferred Name is simply the name you’d rather be known by.

For example, if your legal name is William John Doe but you prefer to be called Bill Doe, you can set Bill as your Preferred Name. Or, if your legal name is Mary Katherine Jackson and your preferred name is Kat Jackson.

Where Your Preferred Name Shows Up

Once you choose a Preferred Name, it’ll be used in places like:

The university’s online directory
Your email display name
Your myOleMiss portal
Your campus ID card
Training registration forms

Where Your Legal Name Stays

Your legal name still has to be used in certain official situations, like:

Insurance documents
Payroll and tax forms
Retirement documents
Official HR paperwork

How to Set Your Preferred Name

Employees may include a preferred name* in Workday by:

Selecting View Profile
Selecting Personal on the menu on the left of the screen of the desktop.
On the Names tab, select Edit in the Preferred Names section and enter desired updates.

The changes take effect immediately. You can also search for Change My Preferred Name to find the task.

*Note: Preferred names may be used as long as they do not constitute misrepresentation or fraud. The University also reserves the right to remove any preferred name that contains inappropriate or offensive language. If a preferred name is removed, the employee’s legal name will be used by default.

Need to Change Your Legal Name?

If you’re updating your legal name, here’s what to do:

Ask your department head to submit an E-Form 3 (Change of Status Form).
Select "Change In Name" on the form and enter your new legal name.
Bring legal proof of your name change (like a Social Security card or court order) to HR.
HR will also update your Form I-9 with your new name.

Preferred Name Guidelines

You can choose any Preferred Name you like, but it shouldn’t be used to misrepresent yourself or for anything dishonest. Also, if the name you choose is offensive or inappropriate, the University may change it back to your legal name.

Contact the HR Service Center

If you have a question, need help, or are dealing with an HR problem, the HR Service Center is here for you. Whether it's about benefits, pay, leave, insurance, tuition waivers, or anything else, our team of experienced HR Service Coordinators is ready to get you the answers you need as quickly as possible.