MyUW - Using the "Preferred Name" App
The "Preferred Name" app provides a central location to update your preferred name. Previously, a preferred name could only be updated in the "Personal Information" or "Student Personal Information" apps. Those apps can still be used to set a preferred name, but the "Preferred Name" can be used by any UW-Madison NetID holder.
Before you enter a preferred name please read this note first: Your
primary/legal name may still appear alongside your preferred name in
some places. If you have any concern about your primary/legal name
appearing, please contact PreferredName@studentlife.wisc.edu before entering a preferred name. Please also visit the Preferred Name FAQ site for the most up to date information about the use of preferred name.
- Launch the Preferred Name app.
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Click Change in the preferred name field. Alternatively, If you already have a preferred name and wish to delete it, click Delete.
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Enter your preferred first, middle and last name into the corresponding text fields. Click Save.
Please note that the following restrictions apply if updating your middle or last name:
- To change your middle or last name, you must supply a preferred first name. This can be your legal first name.
- When updating your last name, only changes to the capitalization, spacing (adding or removing spaces), apostrophes (adding or removing) and hyphens are allowed. Any other changes will result in an error message being displayed.
A "change pending" message will appear on the screen until it has been
completed. It may take up to 2 hours for your preferred name to appear
in the Student Center and My UW and up to 48 hours for your preferred
name to appear in the White Pages (campus directory).
For additional information see FAQ's at http://registrar.wisc.edu/preferred_name.htm.