How to Make Name Tag in Minecraft
Name Tag
Name Tag is the only item that renames mobs in Minecraft — rename it on an anvil, then use it on a mob to display the name and stop it from despawning.
Description
To use a Name Tag, rename it on an anvil first — this costs 1 experience level — then apply the renamed tag to the target mob. A named mob displays its name above its head and never despawns, which makes Name Tag essential for keeping pets, trapped mobs, and unique farm animals loaded; the one exception is the wandering trader, which despawns even when named. Name Tag also unlocks several Easter eggs: naming a sheep "jeb_" cycles its wool through rainbow colors, naming any mob "Dinnerbone" or "Grumm" flips it upside down, and naming a Vindicator "Johnny" makes it hostile to nearly all other mobs. Name Tag works on every mob except the Ender Dragon and other players.
Block properties
| Item ID |
minecraft:name_tag
|
|---|---|
| /give command |
/give @p minecraft:name_tag
|
| Stackable | Yes (64) |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Java Edition | 1.6.1 |
Java & Bedrock Guide
How to use a Name Tag in Minecraft
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1
Get a Name Tag
Craft a Name Tag from 1 paper and 1 metal nugget — iron, gold, or copper — or obtain one by fishing in open water, by looting dungeon or mineshaft chests, or by buying one from a wandering trader for 1 emerald.
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2
Rename it on an anvil
Place the Name Tag in an anvil and type the name you want. This costs 1 experience level and must be done before the tag will work on a mob.
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3
Use it on a mob
Hold the renamed Name Tag and use it on the mob you want to name. The name appears above the mob and the Name Tag is consumed.
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4
Keep the mob loaded
A named mob no longer despawns, so use the Name Tag on pets, villagers, or trapped mobs you want to keep permanently.
A blank Name Tag does nothing when used on a mob — it must be renamed on an anvil first. A whole stack of up to 64 blank Name Tags can be renamed in a single anvil operation and still costs only 1 experience level.
How to craft this block
Frequently asked questions
Can you craft a Name Tag in Minecraft?
Yes. Since Java Edition 26.1 and Bedrock Edition 26.10, Name Tag is crafted from 1 paper and 1 metal nugget — iron, gold, or copper. On Bedrock the recipe first appeared behind an experimental toggle and became standard in 26.10.
How do you use a Name Tag?
Rename the Name Tag on an anvil first, then use it on the mob you want to name. The name shows above the mob and the mob stops despawning.
What does naming a mob 'Dinnerbone' do?
Naming any mob 'Dinnerbone' or 'Grumm' with a Name Tag flips it upside down. It is a cosmetic Easter egg and does not change the mob's behavior.
Does a Name Tag stop mobs from despawning?
Yes. A mob named with a Name Tag will not despawn naturally — the wandering trader is the only exception, despawning even when named. That is why Name Tags are used to protect pets and unique mobs.
Can you name the Ender Dragon with a Name Tag?
No. The Ender Dragon and other players cannot be renamed. A Name Tag works on nearly every other mob in the game.
Do librarian villagers sell Name Tags?
No. Librarians stopped selling Name Tags in Java Edition 26.1 and Bedrock Edition 26.10. The wandering trader now occasionally sells one for 1 emerald — a trade that appears with a 7% chance and 5 in stock.