Name Tags in Minecraft: Everything You Need to Know
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon- A name tag is an item used to assign a name to most NPC characters, preventing them from despawning. It can't be used on players or the Ender Dragon.
- Name tags can't be crafted; they are found in chest drops, obtained through fishing, or traded from a Master Librarian for 20 emeralds.
- To use a name tag, you must first name it using an anvil and one experience point. Then, apply it to an NPC to display the chosen name above their head.
During your journeys in Minecraft, you might find yourself growing fond of certain NPCs. These could be villagers, Piglins, or even animals. You might even want to give them a special name. To do that, you’ll need a name tag. But what exactly is a name tag, and how can you get one? Keep reading to find out!
Table of Contents
What is a Name Tag?
A name tag is an item that allows you to assign a name to most mob NPCs in Minecraft. However, they cannot be used on other players or the Ender Dragon. Name tags are stackable and reusable if you wish to change the name. Since name tags are rare, it’s important to use them thoughtfully.
Effects of Using a Name Tag
When you use a name tag, the NPC will never despawn. They will stay in the same area even as you explore other parts of the world. However, wandering merchants will still disappear after some time, though they will keep their name while they’re around. Keep in mind, the named NPCs can still die, and if they do, you will lose the name tag.
Where To Find a Name Tag
The reason name tags are so rare is that they cannot be crafted. Because of this, you have to explore the world and search for name tags. There are only three ways to get a name tag:
- Chest Drops
- Fishing
- Trading
1. Chest Drops
Chests found in various locations have a decent chance of containing a name tag. Each chest drops exactly one name tag, although the chances vary between the Java and Bedrock Editions of Minecraft. Here is a table showing where to find chests that may contain a name tag in the Java Edition:
| Location | Chance of Dropping a Name Tag |
|---|---|
| Dungeon | 27.9% |
| Mineshaft | 42.3% |
| Ancient City | 16.1% |
| Woodland Mansion | 28.3% |
Similarly, here’s a table showing where to find chests that may contain a name tag in Bedrock Edition:
| Location | Chance of Dropping a Name Tag |
|---|---|
| Dungeon | 27.9% |
| Mineshaft | 42.3% |
| Ancient City | 16.1% |
| Woodland Mansion | 27.9% |
| Buried Treasure | 34.3% |
2. Fishing
If you prefer not to travel too far, you can try fishing. Fish in nearly any body of water without wandering too much. However, be ready to spend some time here, as there’s only a small chance to catch a name tag through fishing.
Name tags fall under the Treasure category. These have a 5% chance of being caught. Since name tags aren’t the only Treasure item, the chance is 0.167%. To improve your chances, consider using the Luck of the Sea enchantment, which increases your success in catching Treasure items.
3. Trading
Trading is the final, and most costly option. If you have extra emeralds, you can buy a name tag from a Master Librarian in a village for 20 emeralds. This option is the most expensive but the easiest.
How To Use a Name Tag in Minecraft
Using a name tag involves more than just clicking on an NPC. You first need to assign a name to it before applying it to a character.
1. Assigning a name to the name tag
To name a name tag, you’ll need an anvil. You can find anvils in villages or craft one using a Crafting Table. To make an anvil, you’ll need 6 iron blocks and 1 iron ingot, as shown in the recipe below.
Once you’ve crafted the anvil, follow these steps to assign a name to a name tag:
- Open the anvil menu.
- Place the name tag in the left-most slot.
- Enter the name you want in the text box at the top. You’ll need 1 experience point to complete the process.
- Finally, place the name tag back in your inventory.
2. Using the name tag on an NPC
With your newly named tag, follow these steps to apply it to your chosen NPC:
- Hold the name tag in your hand.
- Use it on the NPC.
- The name you assigned should now appear above the NPC.
Unique Effects of Name Tags
In certain cases, name tags can trigger special effects on an NPC, depending on the name you choose. Below are the unique effects that name tags can have:
| Name | NPC Affected | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| “Dinnerbone“ or “Grumm“ | All NPCs applicable with name tag | Flips the character upside-down |
| “jeb_“ | Sheep | The sheep’s wool cycles through rainbow colors, but will drop the original color wool when sheared. |
| “Toast“ | Rabbit | Changes the rabbit’s fur to a blend of black and white as an Easter egg request from a Reddit user to honor their pet. |
| “Johnny“ | Vindicator | Makes the vindicator hostile towards other NPCs (except other illagers and ghasts). Even attacks a ravager in Java Edition. |
FAQs
Name tags are items that allow you to give a name to all mob NPCs, except the Ender Dragon. They prevent the NPC from despawning (except wandering merchants) and are reusable.
Name tags cannot be crafted. The three ways to obtain them are as chest drops, a Treasure catch while fishing, or by trading with a Master Librarian for 20 emeralds.
No, you must first assign a name to the name tag using an anvil and one experience point. Then, you can use the name tag on an NPC.
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon
