Display Name

The article explains the impact of the Display Name setting in BambooHR, which influences how employee names are presented in various areas, including email alerts and reports. The Display Name setting can be adjusted in the General Settings section of the account. A table is provided to clarify which areas are affected by this setting and the default display formats used when it is not applied. For instance, certain notifications will use the preferred name if available; otherwise, the first name will be displayed. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding these settings to ensure proper name representation within the platform.

  • Jul 8, 2026
  • Knowledge

Title
Display Name
Article Text
This feature is included in the Core, Pro, and Elite packages.

Learn how the Display Name setting affects how employee names appear across BambooHR. This setting applies to certain areas like email alerts, preview mode, and select reports, while most other areas continue to display employee names using the system's default format.

General Settings

You can view or update the Display Name setting under Settings > Account > General Settings.

The table below outlines how employee names appear across BambooHR, and you can use the key for guidance.

Key

  • Area: The section or feature of BambooHR where employee names are displayed
  • Affected by Display Name Setting: Indicates whether the Display Name Setting changes how employee names are displayed in that area
  • Default Display Format: How employee names appear by default when the Display Name setting does not apply to that area

In some areas where Preferred Name is part of the default display format, it will only display if the employee has a preferred name entered in their employee profile. Otherwise, BambooHR will show the employee's First Name when applicable.

AreaAffected by Display Name SettingDefault Display Format
Preview as User (banner)Yes Not applicable
Preview as User (from employee profile)NoFirst name, Preferred name, Middle name, and Last name (as applicable)
Preview as User (from Settings > Access Levels)NoPreferred name, Last name
Email NotificationsNoThe email notifications address employees by their preferred name if set up on their Personal tab. If there is no preferred name set up, the notifications will show the employee's first name.
Email Alerts (Referenced Employees)YesNot applicable
Email Alerts (Recipients) NoPreferred name
Employee ProfileNoFirst name, Preferred name, Middle name, and Last name (as applicable)
Job tab (Managers, Direct Reports, and Reports To)NoPreferred name, Last name
Employee List ViewNoLast name, First name (unless you change this setting when customizing the list view)
My Info WidgetNoPreferred name, Last name
Who's Out WidgetNoPreferred name, Last name
Celebrations WidgetNoPreferred name, Last name
Standard ReportsYes & No (see next column for more information)

Last name, First name

Exceptions: 

  • Birthdays, Years of Service, Headcount, and Goals Status: Display Name setting
  • Additions and Terminations, Timesheet Entries, Employee Project Hours, and Project Hours: Last name, Preferred name
Company DirectoryNoPreferred name, Last name (or First name if there is no preferred name)
Power EditNoLast name, Preferred name
Org ChartNoPreferred name, Last name
Access Level SettingsNoPreferred name, Last name
Hiring LeadsNoPreferred name, Last name
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